CCW Packet

CITY OF DOVER, DELAWARE COUNCIL COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING Tuesday, April 13, 2021 at 6:00 PM Virtual via WebEx AGENDA Public comments are welcomed on any item and will be permitted at the appropriate time. When possible, please notify the City Clerk (736-7008 or email at cityclerk@dover.de.us) should you wish to be recognized. VIRTUAL MEETING NOTICE This meeting will be held electronically. Public participation information is as follows: Dial: 1-408-418-9388 Link: https://rb.gy/yrgvtw Event number: 129 793 5266 Event password: DOVER (if needed) If you are new to WebEx, get the app now at https://www.webex.com/ to be ready when the meeting starts. CALL THE COUNCIL COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING TO ORDER PARKS, RECREATION, AND COMMUNITY ENHANCEMENT COMMITTEE ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA (ACTIONABLE AND INFORMATIONAL ITEMS) ACTIONABLE ITEMS 1. Review of Recommendations from Mayor’s Blue Ribbon Task Force to End Homelessness Report (Staff recommendation: Refer to Staff for further review) 2. Discussion - American Rescue Plan (ARP) and a Framework for Community Development (Staff recommendation: Refer to City Manager's Office for further discussion and development) • 1

COUNCIL COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING - April 13, 2021 PAGE 2 INFORMATIONAL ITEMS 3. Tree Planting Update 4. Dover Interfaith Mission for Housing Report ADJOURNMENT OF THE PARKS, RECREATION, AND COMMUNITY ENHANCEMENT COMMITTEE ADJOURNMENT OF THE COUNCIL COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING THE AGENDA ITEMS AS LISTED MAY NOT BE CONSIDERED IN SEQUENCE. PURSUANT TO 29 DEL. C. §10004(e)(2), THIS AGENDA IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE TO INCLUDE THE ADDITION OR THE DELETION OF ITEMS, INCLUDING EXECUTIVE SESSIONS, WHICH ARISE AT THE TIME OF THE MEETING • 2

D Item 1. Final Report from Mayor’s Blue Ribbon Task Force on Homelessness: May 2019 Due to the size of the Task Force and the varied aspects of homelessness identified as among those which needed to be addressed, active members formed three working groups: 1. Emergency shelter 2. Daytime services for the homeless 3. Affordable housing and shelter The work, recommendations, and progress achieved by these groups are combined in this report. The working groups met separately on a routine basis and reported on their efforts at each Task Force meeting, resulting in regular input and discussion about efforts of each group. This report will outline both the results or outcomes of the work of the Task Force and the unanimous recommendations of its members for future actions. Results 1. A map of Dover shelters and services was prepared, funded, and distributed to Task Force members, to local agencies serving the homeless (including the Dover Public Library,) and to homeless individuals in need of services. This concept was based on a successful model used with considerable interest in Wilmington, and funding was secured from Levy Court. 1,500 maps were produced in a sturdy paper folded format similar to a folding road map. 2. A successful Code Purple effort was carried out over the winter with regular reporting to the Task Force. 3. A coordinated community-wide food effort was initiated, with information managed and distributed by Code Purple Kent County. Several agencies and churches provide a hot meal to the unsheltered homeless on a daily basis. A calendar is assembled monthly and distributed widely with the objective of ensuring that homeless individuals know where to access food each day. In some cases, a hot meal is supplemented with a “brown bag” of nonperishable items prepared by local faith communities and volunteers. 4. Information about hours and services provided at both the Dover Interfaith Resource Center and Hopes&Dreams was shared and regularly updated. Dover Interfaith added part-time health services at the Resource Center along with lockers available to the unsheltered homeless. A presentation from the Community Health Worker and the closer relationship built with Bayhealth and other providers was shared with the Task Force. Efforts to maintain this health program are being pursued. 5. The Task Force explored potential benefits of a US Air Force Reserves program called Innovative Readiness Training. This has two facets: One is a short-term medical program in which medical and dental personnel provide an intensive multi-day set of services in the community. A facility to host such an endeavor in the summer of 2020 is being pursued along with local school districts, which may provide a facility for use. The second facet is the construction or assembly of a building—such as a shelter—for an organization that has a site and necessary infrastructure as well as plans and purchased materials. The earliest construction activity for which an application can be submitted is 2021. 6. Reports made from both the Whatcoat Shelter at People’s Place and the Dover Interfaith shelter indicated a reduction in available beds due to the implementation of Dover’s fire code. • 3

D Item 1. Whatcoat was reduced to 26 beds from 48 and Dover Interfaith now has 34 instead of 36. These changes resulted in the inability of both shelters to take in additional persons in need of shelter and contributed to pressure on Code Purple this winter. In the longer term, it was agreed that more shelter space is required to meet local demand. 7. A new housing development corporation called the Central Delaware Housing Collaborative was created, with board members representing different organizations concerned with homelessness in the Greater Dover area. Considerable progress has been made as follows: a. Two houses have been leased by the Collaborative, with rooms rented to individuals moving from homelessness to self-reliant living. b. A standard application was created for use by the Collaborative and approved by Task Force members. It permits any local agency or employer to recommend a person for residence. Residents agree to a set of rules that includes participation in regular case management, with most case management currently provided by Dover Interfaith. c. The Collaborative has interacted extensively with the Delaware State Housing Authority (DSHA) to participate in available training programs and to become familiar with sources of funds available. d. AID In Dover—a former youth shelter—has agreed to sell the property known as “801” West Division Street to the Collaborative. The acquisition will include the assumption of a long-term, no-interest loan from DSHA that is also forgivable if the property is used for shelter. The Collaborative plans to implement a program of shelter for women and is seeking grants and financing to make this possible. A partnership with the Dover Interfaith Mission for Housing will provide case management services to residents until sufficient funds are acquired to provide all services directly. e. Greater cooperation with several local realtors have opened opportunities for additional properties to be leased for shared housing. f. Applications for funding have been and are being submitted to several foundations and program sources. Collaborative board members continue to explore funding opportunities. g. The Central Delaware Housing Collaborative has secured tax-exempt 501(c)3 status and meets monthly, with additional committee meetings more frequent. h. Additional properties continue to be explored for future development, such as the Milford Armory. Recommendations 1. Create more shelter space sufficient to meet the demand for men, women, and children. One step is to develop a new shelter for men for the Dover Interfaith Mission for Housing along with a daytime Resource Center due to the loss of their lease in two years’ time. 2. Develop more highly-affordable supportive housing that includes housing for families as well as shared housing for single adults. 3. Include case management for all residents of shelters and supportive housing. 4. Develop an Emergency Housing Plan for homeless persons in bad weather, incorporating involvement from City, County, and DEMA officials. 5. Encourage interaction and sharing information about initiatives and concerns with local and state officials and with corporate leadership in order to inform them and to elicit support. • 4

D Item 1. 6. Pursue opportunities available through Innovative Readiness Training. 7. Continue to support established initiatives, including Dover map of homeless services, monthly meal calendar, and efforts of Central Delaware Housing Collaborative. 8. Pursue continued cooperation with Bayhealth to expand health care and health education to the homeless. 9. Increase community volunteers in order to extend hours of daytime resources such as Dover Interfaith Resource Center and Hopes&Dreams along with community outreach. 10. Explore ways that Task Force and Collaborative initiatives might be promoted more effectively through Central Delaware events, websites, social media, and press coverage. 11. Seek to assure city and county compliance with the Fair Housing Act in zoning and code enforcement. 12. Explore sources of funding for a revolving fund or other mechanisms to finance housing development and leasing to benefit homeless individuals and families. 13. Investigate creative housing options to meet the needs and financial capacity of the homeless, including tiny houses, innovative construction techniques, and other housing alternatives. Adopted unanimously by the Mayor’s Task Force on Homelessness at its meeting of May 8, 2019 Prepared by Jeanine Kleimo, Task Force Chair • 5

D Item 1. Housing and Homelessness in Delaware A CRISIS LAID BARE HOUSING ALLIANCE DELAWARE 2020 | WWW.HOUSINGALLIANCEDE.ORG 6

D Item 1. Board of Directors: Sarah Keifer, President HOUSING Rich Emge, Esq., Vice President ALLIANCE Joanne Miro, Secretary DELAWARE Joe L. Myer, Treasurer Nicole Waters Phyllis C. Brian Housing Alliance Delaware’s Renee Roberts mission is to Advance Lynn Morrison housing opportunities, End Dorothy Medeiros homelessness, and Promote Kim Brockenbrough vibrant communities. Yolanda McCoy Patricia Kelleher Sean Park Our website: www.housingalliancede.org Follow Housing Alliance Delaware on Staff: Facebook: Amelia Ramsaran https://www.facebook.com/housingalliancede Ashley Jackson 100 W. 10 Street, Suite 611 th Bernita Futch Wilmington DE 19801 Erin Gallaher 302-654-0126 Felisha Lawrence Gabrielle Benson Kiara Stevens The artwork in this report was provided by the Creative Vision Factory Lisa Forever (CVF), a nonprofit art studio in the City of Wilmington. CVF fosters the creative potential of individuals on the behavioral health spectrum in Rachel Stucker a studio art environment that cultivates integration with the local art Sarah Spangler Rhine community through a program of exhibitions, workshops, and communal workspace. For the more information about CVF: Simrone Shrestha https://thecreativevisionfactory.org/ Sophia Castagna Vinay Patel • 27

D Item 1. Letter from the Executive Director In 2020, thousands of households in Delaware were unable to make their rent and mortgage payments. People lost jobs and businesses suffered. We were all asked to stay at home for our own wellbeing and that of the community, but people without homes were left with fewer options than ever for safe shelter and essential human services. Delawareans stepped-up to help their neighbors in meaningful ways: bringing food to people facing hunger, changing programs to meet the changing needs of the community, speaking out against longstanding racial injustices, and putting themselves in harm’s way to keep more vulnerable members of the community safe. The events of 2020, and those that continue to unfold, highlight what many of us have known for a long time – that far too many people in Delaware are without a safe, stable place to call home. In 2020 the shortage of affordable rental homes in Delaware for low-income families rose to over 15,560 units. In December 2020, at the height of the coronavirus pandemic, 940 households called Delaware’s Centralized Intake hotline because they were having a housing crisis. Of those who called, 289 households reported sleeping outdoors or in their cars. Delaware can and must do better. Peoples’ lives depend on it. While Housing Alliance Delaware does not yet know what the long-lasting impact of the coronavirus pandemic will be in our state, we know that there are not enough temporary or permanent housing resources to quickly end homelessness for people and families in Delaware. We know that Delaware does not have enough affordable housing for low-income and extremely low-income households. We know that Black and Brown households in Delaware experience housing instability and homelessness at significantly higher rates than white households. And we know that homelessness and housing instability have long lasting impacts on the health and wellbeing of families and communities. This report is intended to be a resource for our community partners and state and local policy makers by providing the most recent data available about homelessness and housing affordability in Delaware. In this report, we highlight the urgent issues of racial injustice in housing, and the health implications of housing instability and homelessness. Housing Alliance Delaware is grateful to each of our public, nonprofit, and private sector partners throughout the state who work with our team each day to create housing opportunities and end homelessness. Thank you for your partnership, and all that you do for Delaware’s communities. Rachel Stucker • 38

Table of Contents D Item 1. Chapter 1: Homelessness ....................................................................................................... 5 2020 Point in Time Count ......................................................................................................... 6 Veterans ................................................................................................................................. 7 Families with Children............................................................................................................ 8 Chronic Homelessness ........................................................................................................... 8 Centralized Intake .................................................................................................................. 10 Looking Forward ..................................................................................................................... 11 Chapter 2: Housing Affordability ......................................................................................... 12 Poverty and Income: Persistent Unaffordability ................................................................... 14 Cost Burdened Renters: Eviction and Displacement ............................................................. 16 Affordable Housing and Homeownership ............................................................................. 17 Looking Forward ..................................................................................................................... 19 Chapter 3: Persistent Racial Disparities................................................................................ 21 Homelessness ......................................................................................................................... 22 Rental Affordability ................................................................................................................ 22 The Homeownership Gap....................................................................................................... 23 Looking Forward ..................................................................................................................... 25 Chapter 4: Health and Housing ............................................................................................ 26 Housing as a Vital Condition .................................................................................................. 27 Impact of the Pandemic ......................................................................................................... 29 Looking Forward ..................................................................................................................... 29 • 49

D Item 1. Chapter 1: Homelessness Ken Carley, ceramic mask • 10

In this report, homelessness refers to people who homeless households with temporary stays in hotels and motels. D Item 1. are sleeping on the streets, encampments, or other places not meant for human habitation, and in emergency shelters or transitional housing More than 2,000 people slept in congregate programs for people experiencing homelessness or emergency shelters in 2020, and more than 3,500 fleeing domestic violence. a people were temporarily sheltered in a hotel/motel by DHSS. This alarming number of people included Homelessness can have many faces, ages, genders, more than 1,600 children under 18 years old. b and races. In Delaware, more than 1,000 people are homeless each night, with 23-25% being In 2020, New Castle County purchased a large hotel children under the age of 18. 1 Individuals that and opened the New Castle County Hope Center. identify as male, Black, and over the age of 24 This purchase increased safe, temporary housing make up the largest number of homeless options for people and families experiencing individuals in the state. 2 Compared to white homelessness by nearly 200 units. 4 families, Black families with children are eight times more likely to experience homelessness in The crisis of homelessness in Delaware is not new, Delaware. 3 but in 2020 the true danger and inhumanity of homelessness was exposed. The COVID-19 crisis In 2020, Delaware faced a housing crisis that was demonstrated clearly that access to safe, compounded by the crisis of the coronavirus affordable housing is a critical need that continues pandemic. People without safe shelter were at to go unmet in our communities. greater risk of viral transmission and had extremely limited access to basic human services, such as food, shelter, and bathrooms. Due to the safety precautions needed to prevent the spread of 2020 Point in Time COVID-19, shops closed down, service sites restricted or limited access, and congregate Count emergency shelters decreased their capacity to The Point in Time (PIT) Count occurs on one night ensure safety among staff and residents. in January. On this night, volunteers survey people Statewide, congregate shelter capacity decreased experiencing homelessness in Delaware by 50% in 2020. Interventions, such as portable communities. The PIT Count includes adults and bathrooms and handwashing stations were set up children throughout Delaware sleeping in throughout Delaware for people experiencing unsheltered locations c, emergency shelters homelessness. (including weather-related shelters, hotel or motel rooms paid for by a government entity or charity, To address the need for safe shelter, the Delaware and domestic violence shelters) and transitional Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS) leveraged state and federal funding to provide a U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development c Such as the streets, in cars, sheds, tents, and other places definition of literal homelessness. not meant for human habitation. b Data provided by the Division of State Service Centers. • 11

housing facilities for people experiencing homelessness. Delaware Point in Time Count DItem 1. 2015-2020 2500 On January 29, 2020 1,165 people in Delaware were homeless. Of the 1,165 people counted, 665 2000 were in New Castle County, 296 were in Kent 1165 1070 1082 1500 1015 921 County, and 204 were in Sussex County. 950 1000 117 204 114 97 116 296 151 188 224 247 296 200 New Castle County: 57% 500 685 731 654 717 665 540 0 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 Kent County: 25.5% • New Castle • Kent • Sussex Delaware Sussex County: 17.5% Veterans In 2016, Delaware joined the Mayor’s Challenge to End Veterans Homelessness. Since then, programs such as Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing Since 2015, the number and percentage of people (VASH), Supportive Services for Veteran Families experiencing homelessness in Kent and Sussex (SSVF), and Delaware Joining Forces have directed counties has increased. additional federal and local resources to prevent and end homelessness for veterans in Delaware 5. Year-to-year changes in PIT data is hard to attribute As a result, homelessness among veterans in solely to changes in homelessness. The outcomes Delaware decreased by 40% from 2016 to 2018. of the PIT Count can be highly dependent on weather, the availability of cold weather shelter beds on the night of the count, and the number of Point in Time Count: volunteers who participate. Homeless Veterans 120 107 100 91 However, when reviewed over time, Delaware’s PIT 80 65 65 66 data demonstrates clearly that there has been no 60 notable decrease in homelessness. In fact, a review 40 of the last 5 years of PIT data shows an increase in 20 the number of people experiencing homelessness 0 in Delaware since 2015. 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 Number of Homeless Veterans • 7 12

Delaware continues to track veteran homelessness and housing outcomes on a monthly basis. From The Delaware Department of Education (DDOE) counts homelessness among children differently. In D Item 1. January 2015 to January 2020, 1,112 veterans their data, the DDOE includes school-aged children experiencing homelessness in Delaware moved who are staying temporarily with family and friends from homelessness to permanent housing. or living in other unstable housing situations. For the past five years, there have been between 3,000 In December 2020, 65 veterans were homeless in and 3,500 homeless students identified by the DE Delaware, the same as captured in the most recent DDOE annually. 6 During the 2019-2020 school year, PIT Counts. Since 2018, the number veterans there were 2,971 homeless students identified by experiencing homelessness in Delaware has the Delaware Department of Education. 7 This remained steady at approximately 65 homeless on counting of school-age children demonstrates that any given night. d thousands of children in Delaware experience housing instability and homelessness each year. Families with Children Point in Time Count: Age On the night of the 2020 PIT Count, 136 families 1400 with children were experiencing homelessness. 1200 This is the highest number of homeless families captured in the PIT Count in five years. This 1000 represents an 18% increase in homeless families 800 777 828 685 with children since 2015. 600 618 400 69 78 83 71 Point in Time Count: Households 200 with Children 240 227 220 266 0 150 125 136 2017 2018 2019 2020 115 100 108 129 116 • Age 24 and Over • Youth Ages 18-24 50 • Children Under the Age of 18 0 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 Number of Households with at Least one Adult and One Child Chronic Homelessness From 2015 to 2020, children under 18 have People experiencing chronic homelessness are consistently made up 23% to 25% of all people those who have been living on the streets or in experiencing homelessness on the night of the PIT emergency shelters for long periods of time and Count. have a disabling condition. e People experiencing d At the time of this report, the most recent monthly data e HUD defines chronic homelessness as individuals who have: from December 2020 showed 65 homeless veterans in 1) been homeless on the streets, or in emergency shelter, for Delaware. • 8 13

chronic homelessness are most likely to die while homeless, most likely to be unsheltered, and most DItem 1. At the time of the 2020 PIT Count, 197 individuals presented with a serious COVID-19 risk factor; 133 likely to rely on crisis services to meet their urgent individuals were over the age of 60, and 267 needs, such as emergency departments, mental individuals were chronically homeless. health crisis services, and first responders. In addition to increases in chronic homelessness, The number of people experiencing chronic the number of people experiencing unsheltered homelessness in Delaware has increased homelessness has increased each year since 2017. significantly since 2017. In 2020, 23% of all adults Between 2017 and 2020, the number of people captured on the night of the Point in Time Count unsheltered on the night of the PIT Count has more were chronically homeless, (267 people), compared than doubled. to 18% in 2017 (127 people). Point in Time Count: Unsheltered Homelessness 2017 - 2020 Point in Time Count: Chronic Homelessness 160 150 300 140 250 120 56 93 95 100 200 19 80 150 58 37 60 I 100 25 211 170 40 102 131 50 20 0 0 2017 2018 2019 2020 2017 2018 2019 2020 • Unsheltered Chronically Homeless Individuals • Sheltered Chronically Homeless Individuals The 2020 PIT Count demonstrates significant and enduring unmet housing needs in Delaware. When The health-related risk factors of people the data is reviewed overtime, Delaware’s PIT data experiencing homelessness was a serious concern tells a frightening story of increases in family in 2020 due to COVID-19. Prior to the pandemic, homelessness, increases in unsheltered individuals experiencing homelessness had a homelessness, and increases in chronic morbidity rate of ten times the general population. homelessness in our state. In 2020, these individuals were at higher risk for developing severe COVID-19. 8 more than 1 year continuously, or 4 or more times in 3 years, totaling 12 months or more, and 2) have challenges attaining and retaining stable housing due to a disabling condition. • 9 14

Centralized Intake displaced due to an inability to pay rent, some are couch surfing or sleeping outdoors and need access DItem 1. to safe shelter, and others are temporarily Delaware’s Centralized Intake program provides a sheltered and looking for permanent housing. coordinated access point for households experiencing homelessness to seek entry into In 2020, Centralized Intake began to collect emergency shelter, transitional housing, rapid re- information about COVID-19 risk – meaning that housing, and permanent supportive housing. callers were asked if they met the CDC criteria for being at high risk of serious illness if they were to In addition to coordinating access to resources for contract COVID-19. f From October 1, 2020 to people and families in crisis, Centralized Intake December 31 2020, 210 callers (11%) self-reported allows Housing Alliance Delaware to better that they or someone in their household met the understand the need for homeless assistance CDC criteria for high risk. resources in Delaware. Centralized Intake staff used CDC criteria at intake From October 1, 2020 to December 31, 2020, 1,898 to prioritize people with high-risk medical unduplicated households contacted Centralized conditions for safe shelter. At-risk households were Intake and reported that they were homeless or at referred to DHSS for access to a hotel/motel single risk of homelessness. 30% (555) of households that room shelter rather than a higher-risk congregate contacted Centralized Intake were families with setting. children. Living Situation of Callers October 1, 2020 - December 31, 2020 Centralized Intake Callers by Household Type Unsheltered/Place Not Meant for Human 486 Habitation 1343 555 Emergency Shelter Institution (Including Hospitals and Prisons) - I 59 315 Temporary Living with 449 Family or Friends • Family with Children Adult-Only Household Housed - 325 Households call Centralized Intake for a variety of reasons, from a variety of living situations. Some households are concerned that they will be Other/Worker Was Unable to Determine - 0 186 100 200 300 400 500 600 f https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/need-extra- precautions/people-with-medical-conditions.html • 10 15

Looking Forward D Item 1. The COVID-19 crisis demonstrates clearly that there must be a system in place that prevents people COVID-19 presented a public health crisis that put from becoming homeless, and provides people people experiencing homelessness at extremely experiencing homelessness with immediate access high-risk. Delaware’s lack of sufficient emergency to housing solutions. In short, Delaware needs to shelter and the increased demand for limited look towards a future where housing solutions are permanent housing resources exposed the fragility available for all who need them. of our state’s homeless response system. At the time of publication of this document, Delaware continues to face a crisis of homelessness in the middle of this pandemic. As recently as in January 2021, more than 800 people remained temporarily sheltered in hotels or motels throughout our state, while hundreds of others slept in congregate homeless shelters. • 11 16

D Item 1. Chapter 2: Housing Affordability Zakkiyyah Mu’min, untitled Colorful Houses II • 17

As Delaware entered 2020, the state faced a shortage of more than 15,560 affordable rental Housing Cost Burden by Income D Item 1. Group in Delaware units for extremely low-income households. 9 100% The median family income for a family of four in 89% 90% Delaware is $81,900. 10 Low-income g households 80% 76% 78% have an annual income of $65,500. 11 Very low- 70% income h households have an annual income of 60% 50% 45% $40,950. 12 Extremely low-income i households 37% 40% have annual income of $24,550. 13 30% In 2019, the housing wage for a two-bedroom unit 20% 17% 7% at fair market rent was $21.97, and $18.08 for a 10% 1% one-bedroom unit. A minimum wage employee 0% Extremely Very Low Low Income Middle needs to work at least two minimum wage jobs to Low Income Income Income afford rental housing in Delaware. 14 •Cost Burdened •Severely Cost Burdened Delaware has the 17th In 2020, Delaware unemployment hit double digits highest two-bedroom for the first time in 10 years, and nearly three times housing wage in the nation. more individuals were unemployed during 2020 then 2019. 17 More than any time in the past decade, Delawareans were without income to In 2020, the cost of rent in Delaware remained the meet their housing costs. 18 same as it was in 2019. 15 Almost half of low-income households were severely cost burdened by the cost of housing, paying 50% or more of their total Delaware has a robust single-family construction income towards housing costs. The coronavirus market. In 2019, Delaware issued over eight pandemic increased the economic hardship faced thousand building permits. 19 However, Delaware by many Delaware families. 16 lacks in multifamily construction, the type of development most likely to result in affordable housing units. In May of 2020, the Delaware unemployment rate was 15.9% compared to an unemployment rate of 3.7% in May of 2019. g Households whose income does not exceed 80% of the i Households whose income does not exceed 30% of the median income. median income. h Households whose income does not exceed 50% of the median income. • 18

I Item 1. I I New Housing Building Permits: US Census Bureau Building Permits Survey Total 1 Unit 2 Units 3 and 4 5 Units or Structures j With Units More 5 Units or More United States 1,451,579 977,863 27,104 19,061 427,551 15,883 Delaware 8,456 7,102 310 71 973 77 Of the 8,456 permits issued in DE, there were only Even if extremely-low income renters are able to 77 permits issued for structures with five or more locate housing, many are excluded from high- housing units, representing just 0.91% of all opportunity k areas because of high rental costs, or housing built in Delaware. 20 because landlords can discriminate against renters who are utilizing rental assistance subsidies. 23 In Delaware there are only 36 affordable housing units available for every 100 renter households. 21 The creation of affordable housing units has not More than 53,360 households experience severe kept pace with demand, and has been further housing problems due to the shortage of housing stymied by COVID-19. Demand for affordable for all low-, very low-, and extremely-low income housing is likely to increase as the COIVD-19 crisis households. 22 reduces incomes and prohibits renters from transitioning to homeownership. Affordable and Available Homes Per 100 Renter Households 120 105 101 100 Poverty and Income: 80 60 57 Persistent Unaffordability I I 35 40 20 In January 1937 when Franklin Delano Roosevelt 0 At ELI At 50% of At 80% of At 100% of was inaugurated for his second term during a time AMI AMI AMI of economic crisis, he stated that he saw “millions • Affordable and Available Homes Per 100 Renter of families trying to live on incomes so meager that Households the pall of family disaster hangs over them day by j The statistics, by type of structure, refer to the structural combined, and 5 or more unit structures. characteristics of the building. The one-unit structure https://www.census.gov/construction/bps/definitions/ category is a single-family home. It includes fully detached, semidetached (semiattached, side-by-side), row houses, and k An area designated by a state or local Qualified Allocation townhouses (see "Single-Family House".) Multifamily Plan (QAP) as a high opportunity area whose poverty rate structures are classified by the number of housing units in the falls below 10 percent (for metropolitan areas) or below 15 structure. Data are tabulated for 2 units, 3 and 4 units percent (for non-metropolitan areas). • 14 19

day” and that he saw “one-third of a nation ill housed.” households, and an inflexible or fixed cost in the household budget. D Item 1. Nearly 100 years have passed since Roosevelt’s In Delaware, an estimated 944,955 people, or speech, and the nation has traversed decades of 11.3% of the population, live in poverty. 27 Many prosperity. But in 2020, the U.S. found itself again households in Delaware live on incomes low in a time of economic crisis that exposed the enough that housing remains completely out of impact of income inequality. reach. The minimum income necessary to afford a two-bedroom rental unit in Rental Housing Costs in Delaware Delaware is $3,806 monthly and 1200 $45,669.00 annually. At Delaware’s minimum wage, a renter would need to 1000 work 2.5 full time jobs or over 95 hours 800 a week to afford rent. 600 II 400 200 The Gini coefficient l shows that household income 0 distribution in the United States went from 0.43 in While At 30% of While SSI 1990 to 0.48 in 2019. 24 This change indicates a working a AMI working a Recipient full time job full time job significant increase in income inequality in the U.S. at the mean at minimum -- during the past 30 years. renter wage wage Affordable Rent In 1948, ten years after Roosevelt acknowledged Fair Market Value for a 2-Bedroom in Delaware that the nation was “ill housed,” the United Nations adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights which stated that adequate housing Nationwide, the demand for affordable rental was a human right. 25 Adequate housing, or a housing has grown dramatically during the last 20 secure place to live in dignity and health, is years. From 2004 to 2015 the number of renters universally viewed as one of the most basic human increased by 9.3 million. 28 The increase in demand needs. 26 But in Delaware, as in most of the U.S., for rental units can be largely attributed to renters there is no legal right to adequate housing or 55 years and older, many of whom are living on a shelter. Income alone determines the quality of the fixed income and require affordable housing housing, the stability of the household, and the options. 29 The lack of large, affordable rental units quality of the residential community. Housing is for families, and the demand of older renters for both the single largest expense for most small units, has resulted in cost-burdened and l A statistical measure of economic inequality and wealth distribution among a population • 15 20

overcrowded housing for many renters in Delaware. 30 an affordable housing problem and an income problem. DItem 1. Despite demand, in 2020, Delaware did not gain The increase in housing costs and income disparity additional affordable housing units. Budget placed many households in an untenable position shortfalls meant that city and state housing in 2020 when thousands of workers faced programs did not expand. 31 Federal programs that unemployment or underemployment. 35 support the creation of affordable housing, like the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC), did not increase. In fact, some say the LIHTC program 2020 Delaware Unemployment Rate decreased in value. 32 Banks were less likely to 18.00% invest in or lend to projects, uncertain of the 16.00% outcome. 14.00% 12.00% 10.00% In 2020, coronavirus pandemic construction 8.00% 6.00% slowdowns and material shortages made ongoing 4.00% projects more expensive. 33 And, as discussed 2.00% 0.00% below, a large number of renters were unable to pay rent, even in “affordable” units, putting increased pressure on landlords and nonprofit housing providers. Ultimately, even with a high Delaware Unemployment Rate demand for affordable housing, the pandemic made it both unattractive and difficult to build affordable housing in 2020. 34 Economists predict that unemployment will not decrease until there is widespread dissemination of a vaccine, and even then, it may take years for Delaware Housing Wage by County those most affected by long-term unemployment 2020 2019 to recover financially. 36 Statewide $21.96 $21.97 New Castle $23.58 $23.08 County Cost Burdened Kent County $20.08 $19.88 Renters: Eviction and Sussex County $18.23 $20.25 Displacement There are many households in Delaware that In Delaware there are 111,736 renter households 37 remain unable to afford housing despite one or two and 24,145 renter households who are extremely adults in the household holding full time low income. 38 employment. For these households, there is both • 16 21

Nationwide, from August 2020 to December 2020, the U.S. Census Bureau reported a significant eviction notice. The numbers of individuals and families displaced in 2020 remains unknown, but it D Item 1. increase in the number of renters in arrears. 39 Due was significantly less than it would have been to public policy, such as moratoriums on evictions, without the eviction moratorium. an eviction crisis was not realized in 2020. There are many predictions for a “wave” of However, that does not mean that Delaware’s evictions in 2021 when thousands of tenants will renters are not in arrears or that evictions have not be unable to resolve rental arrears accrued during been filed. the eviction moratoriums. The federal eviction moratorium is set to expire on March 31, 2021, As of December 2020, the Delaware State Housing after which Delaware has very few protections in Authority received over 5,500 applications for place locally to prevent renters from being rental assistance through the Delaware Housing displaced during this time of crisis. 42 Assistance Program (DE HAP). 40 From March 15, 2020, when the moratorium on evictions went into place, until December 2020, 2,368 eviction cases were filed in Delaware Courts. 41 Affordable Housing Extremely Low Income and Homeownership Renter Households in Delaware, by Type Delaware’s homeownership rate continues to be 10, 10% 3, 3% well above the national average m and home prices 4, 4% remain below that of surrounding states. 43 However, median home prices rose quarterly in all 45, 45% three Delaware counties in 2019 44 and home prices 21, 21% nationwide rose 10.2% from October 2019 to October 2020. 45 17, 17% • In Labor Force • Disabled Delaware's Homeownership Rate • Senior School 80.0 78.0 • Single Care Giver • Other 76.0 74.0 72.0 70.0 The displacement of many renters in 2020 did not 68.0 66.0 happen through the formal eviction process. 64.0 62.0 However there have been anecdotal reports of renters being displaced when they were unable to Jan-85 Jan-88 Jan-91 Jan-94 Jan-97 Jan-00 Jan-03 Jan-06 Jan-09 Jan-12 Jan-15 Jan-18 Jan-21 afford rent, unable to renew rental agreements, or Delaware Home Ownership Rate voluntarily vacating after being provided with an m The annual homeownership rate for the U.S. was 66.0% in 2018 and Delaware’s homeownership rate was 71% in 2018 and 71.4% in 2019. • 17 22

In addition to the increase in home prices in Delaware, 49 the number of homes available for D Item 1. purchase decreased by 2,640 units in 2020. 50 Despite a comparatively high rate of This decrease in housing stock, coupled with an homeownership, homeownership in Delaware increase in home prices, restricts entry into the continues to be out of reach for low-income housing market for those with a median income of households. The 2020 housing market further $51,000.00 a year or less. 51 52 increased the homeownership gap n and limited Rates of foreclosure is one of the factors used to access for moderate and low income households in measure stability in the affordable homeownership Delaware. housing market. However, 2020 foreclosure rates do not paint a complete picture of housing affordability or market stability. FHFA Delaware House Price Index 230 In 2020, there were only 547 foreclosure filings in 225 Delaware, one-fifth of the number filed in 2019. 53 220 Each of these were filed between January and April. 54 During that short period of time, Delaware 215 experienced a high foreclosure rate compared to 210 other states. 55 However, the foreclosure rate 205 plummeted when Governor Carney instituted a 1-Sep-19 1-Oct-19 1-Nov-19 1-Dec-19 1-Jan-20 1-Feb-20 1-Mar-20 1-Apr-20 1-May-20 1-Jun-20 1-Jul-20 1-Aug-20 1-Sep-20 moratorium on residential foreclosures and sheriff’s sales on March 25, 2020, which remains in FHFA Delaware House Price Index effect. 56 In addition, federally backed mortgages are in forbearance or payment deferral until June 30, 2021. 57 In the third quarter of 2020, home prices increased in all major markets in the Mid-Atlantic region. Where other markets saw a decrease in sales, RESIDENTIAL HOME SALES Delaware saw an increase. 46 According to Long and 18,000 • Kent • NCCo • Sussex Foster, the median sales price in Delaware went 16,000 from $259,100 in November 2019 to $305,000 in 14,000 November 2020. 47 Although not all home prices 12,000 increased to over $300,000, the increase in price 10,000 8,000 was significant across the state. For example, the 6,000 median home price in New Castle County was 4,000 $236,000 in February 2020, a 4.9% increase from 2,000 February 2019. 48 0 n The rate of homeownership based on both income and race. homeownership are significantly lower for Black and Latinx The rates of homeownership are significantly lower for households. extremely-low income households. The rates of • 18 23

DItem 1. housing stability, especially for low-, very low-, and extremely low-income households. Due to state and federal moratoriums on foreclosure, the ability of low- to moderate-income households to maintain homeownership during the Looking Forward economic crisis cannot be measured by rates of Housing affordability is linked not only to the cost foreclosure. However, forbearance rates can of housing, but also to the ability to earn a housing provide a snapshot of housing affordability in 2020. wage. The minimum wage in Delaware is not a housing wage. Forbearance plans are typically used to help households bridge temporary hardship and An increase in the minimum wage would allow the preserve homeownership. In 2020, rates of workers to afford housing and other services, mortgage forbearance were unpresented and boosting Delaware’s economy and providing access significantly higher for poor families. 58 Without to stable housing for many. In addition, raising the forbearance, poor households may have been minimum wage is necessary to address the forced to sell or default on their mortgage longstanding wealth gap. payments in 2020. At the time of publication, the Delaware Legislature In 2020 NCALL built four new, energy efficient, is considering a bill that would raise the minimum affordable, single family homes side by side in wage to $15.00 an hour by 2026, 60 an important Dover. With assistance from an NCALL Housing Counselor, first time homebuyer step in the right direction. Even a gradual increase Maria became the proud owner of one of the in the minimum wage will create positive housing homes in October of 2020. Before purchasing outcomes, as low-wage workers are more likely to the house in Dover, Maria was living in a small apartment on the third floor with four children. spend earnings on immediate needs, such as Her new home has plenty of space for her housing. family to live comfortably and there is also a large yard for her children to play. Delaware Housing Wage Facts However, the number of households that entered 2020 2019 forbearance and remain in forbearance indicates Minimum Wage $9.25 $8.75 that some households face more than just a Average Renter $17.83 $17.40 temporary hardship. 59 Large numbers of Wage households are remaining in forbearance for long 2-Bedroom $21.96 $21.97 periods of time, which may indicate a future wave Housing Wage Number of 103,457 101,259 of foreclosures. Renter Households The current economic landscape is unlike anything Delaware has seen before. It is uncertain what high rates of mortgage forbearance will mean for future As in many communities in the U.S., the waiting list for access to housing assistance in Delaware is • 19 24

long, and wait times are unacceptably long, often years. o Housing assistance may come though investment, in affordable housing development. In addition to an increase in allocation for housing D Item 1. permanent supportive housing programs, rapid re- development programs, we encourage our state housing programs, Housing Choice Voucher partners to actively promote solutions such as programs, or other types of publicly funded community land trusts p, land banks q, and housing programs. While Delaware, like other inclusionary zoning r, all proven methods of states, receives federal funding for these programs, ensuring the sustainability and development of Delaware does and can play a role in meeting the affordable housing. unmet housing needs of its residents. In addition to the provision of housing subsidies, Delaware must ensure that renters have all of the tools they need to remain stably housed. One such tool is access to legal representation in the eviction process. Delaware should enact legislation to ensure that litigants facing eviction are provided with the right to legal counsel. The civil right to counsel has been proven to reduce the number of evictions of low-income tenants. This is because landlords have the benefit of legal representation and are able to navigate the court system, while tenants are not. Eviction is a deeply destructive event and causes not only loss of stable housing but, often, the inability to secure new housing. By keeping tenants in their homes, Delaware can address the issue of homelessness and help families break the cycle of poverty. There is a shortage of over 15,560 affordable rental units in Delaware. It is clear that federal resources are not effectively meeting the local housing need. Delaware must continue to invest, and increase its o Part of President Biden’s “The Biden Plan for Investing in our qA mechanism for acquiring vacant, abandoned, or tax- Communities though Housing” is to “provide section 8 delinquent properties in order to preserve, develop and vouchers to every eligible family so that no one has to pay distribute property to meet affordable housing goals. more than 30% of their income for rental housing.” rA requirement that new residential developments include p Land owned by non-profit, community based organizations affordable homes. that provide affordable housing in perpetuity. • 20 25

D Item 1. Chapter 3: Persistent Racial Disparities k lCJJ 1 ~ 'JAMES f),, AKW ~ A PAPiTIVIENi: @ Au& 2018 • 26

Systemic inequality is demonstrated in housing. People of color have higher rates of homelessness, Racial Groups as a Percentage of DItem 1. Delaware Population, Homeless a higher cost burden in rental housing, and lower 2020 PIT Count: Race Population, and Housholds in homeownership rates. In addition, people of color 64 Poverty3 7 1 are twice as likely as the white population to live in 70 60 communities with poverty rates above 20 60 54 55 percent. 61 50 40 40 412 33 678 0.004 Delaware is becoming increasingly diverse, s and in 30 22 0.004 20 a year where inequality and racial disparity have 10 0.7 been an important part of the national and local discourse, this chapter highlights some elements of racial disparities in housing. 10 0 5 6 ••• Black or African American White --- 4 2 2 Multiple Races American Indian or Alaska Native Asian Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander Homelessness • Percentage of Delaware Population • Percentage of Homeless Population • Percentage of Households in Poverty The burdens of homelessness have fallen disproportionately on minority communities in Delaware. This is particularly true for people who Black households in Delaware are 4 times more are Black. Black households experience higher rates likely than their white counterparts to experience of homelessness in Delaware than any other group. homelessness. Families with children who have a Black head of household are 8 times more likely to Poverty is a strong indicator that a household may experience homelessness than white families with be at risk of homelessness or experience children. This disparity cannot be explained by homelessness. In Delaware, 33% of people living at differences in the poverty rate alone. or below the poverty line are Black, compared to 22% of the general population. 62 Black individuals are 1.8 times overrepresented in poverty relative to their representation in the Rental Affordability overall population. 63 However, poverty rates do not paint a complete In 2020, nearly 70% of all evictions in Delaware picture when looking at disparities in were filed against people of color: 55% of evictions homelessness. in Delaware were filed against Black renters and nearly 14% of evictions were filed against Hispanic/Latinx/American Indian renters. 64 Most s From 1990 to 2020 the white population has fallen from to 21.3 percent and the Latinx population has risen from 2.4 79.2 to 63 percent, the Black population has risen from 16.7 to 9 percent. • 22 27

evictions filed in Delaware are against residents in the City of Wilmington. property owners willing to accept the subsidy as a form of rental payment. This often results in D Item 1. limited housing choices, and lack of access to In 2020, eviction filings in Wilmington were higher opportunity neighborhoods. average for the first three months of the year and In 2020, Black households disproportionately faced then dropped below the historical average due to poverty and housing instability. This economic policies implemented to prevent eviction during instability can be linked to race, even across the COVID-19 emergency. 65 While the drop in incomes. t evictions helped Delawareans to remain stably housed during a time of crisis, the drop in eviction filings did not eliminate the impact of rental The unemployment rate for Black affordability on Black households in Delaware. households was nearly three times that of white households before the COIVD-19 state of Since the first study in 1989, reports by the Urban emergency was declared in Institute and U.S. Department of Housing and March of 2020. The Urban Development (HUD) have consistently found unemployment rate remained that there are high levels of discriminatory significantly higher for Black treatment towards Black households seeking rental households throughout the year. housing. 66 Race-based discrimination increases the cost of housing for Black households. In 2020, Black households faced a disproportionate Access to high-quality housing in a high- loss of income, u were more likely to be cost opportunity neighborhoods is restricted in burdened, two times as likely to fall behind on Delaware based on source of income, which is not housing payments, and more likely to be yet fully protected under Delaware Fair Housing unemployed. 67 law. Housing Choice Vouchers and other federal and state rental assistance programs are designed to help low-income families afford fair market rate housing. However, households with housing The Homeownership subsidies are often unable to find landlords or Gap Nationwide, black homeownership rates have Historically, redlining discouraged economic been on a steady decline for investment in Black neighborhoods and promoted the past 15 years. Rates have systemic housing discrimination. Decades later, the reached levels not seen since United States has not overcome the effects of this the 1960’s, when private race- federal initiative. A disproportionate number of based discrimination was legal. t Black households with incomes over $75,000 were almost u Over 47 percent of Black households nationwide reported a two times as likely as white households to be behind on loss of income between March and September of 2020. mortgage payments. •23 28

Black households continue to live in areas of concentrated poverty. 68 Personal credit is a large barrier to homeownership. Nationwide, more than 50% of D Item 1. white households have a FICO score over 700 while Residential segregation provided, and continues to just over 20% of Black households maintain the provide, less homeownership opportunities to same score. 72 Black households. The difference in homeownership between Black and white In addition, lending discrimination creates households is substantial and represents not only significant disparities in access to homeownership. historic inequality, but also a lack of opportunity to White loan applicants have more favorable build future household or familial wealth. 69 outcomes in both the approval of loans and the interest rates. 73 For example, in Kent County, Black In 2019, homeownership rates among Black and white residents each make up 40% of the households increased less than half v the amount of population, but Black borrows are twice as likely as white households. 70 Both the Delaware and the white borrowers to be denied home loans or given national Black/white homeownership gap is larger high-cost loans. 74 In Wilmington, Black borrowers than it has been in decades, at a 31% difference. In are two times as likely to be denied a loan and five Delaware, 81% of white households own their own times as likely to have a high-cost loan. 75 homes compared to 49% of Hispanic/Latinx households and 53% of Black households. 71 New Castle County Home Loans by Race Homeownership in the United 80 States 70 90.0 80.0 60 70.0 60.0 50 50.0 40.0 40 30.0 20.0 30 II 10.0 0.0 20 January-01 11 111 I May-02 10 September-03 January-05 May-06 September-07 January-09 May-10 September-11 January-13 0 May-14 September-15 January-17 White Black Asian Hispanic May-18 September-19 - Home Ownership Rate for the United •Home Purchase Loans Approved States: Non-Hispanic, White Alone • Refinancing Loans Approved - Home Ownership Rate for the United States: Black or African American Alone •Home Improvement Loans Approved Home Purchase Loans Denied •Refinancing Denied Similar to disparities in rental housing, the •Home Improvement Denied Black/white homeownership gap can be explained – in part - by economic opportunity and poverty. v Increase of .6% for Black Households and 1.4% for white households. • 24 29

D Item 1. Kent County Home Loans by Race Looking Forward 80 70 Delaware has a strong legislative imperative to 60 address persistent racial disparities. The African 50 American Task Force was created in 2020 to “make 40 recommendations to the Delaware general Assembly and Governor regarding inequalities 30 experienced by African Americans in Delaware.” 76 20 Housing is one of the areas this committee is 10 addressing. 0 White Black Asian Hispanic • Home Purchase Loans Approved Pervasive and systemic poverty and discrimination • Refinancing Loans Approved limit access to safe, affordable housing. In 2020 the • Home Improvement Loans Approved Delaware Legislature should consider legislation to Home Purchase Loans Denied address the right to counsel or legal representation • Refinancing Denied in eviction proceedings, source of income • Home Improvement Denied protections for renters using rental subsides. In addition, it is important to note that criminal records are a significant barrier to housing. Sussex County Home Loans by Race Delaware has one of the highest incarceration rates 80 in the United States and Black w individuals 70 represent a disproportionate number of those 60 arrested or incarcerated. 77 50 40 Delaware has made significant improvement over 30 I .Id I 11 the past two years in increasing access to criminal 20 record expungement. x However, efforts to ensure 10 fair housing access and proactively combat 0 White Black Asian Hispanic discriminatory housing practices should include • Home Purchase Loans Approved increasing access to expungement, including • Refinancing Loans Approved automatic expungement of juvenile records. • Home Improvement Loans Approved • Home Purchase Loans Denied • Refinancing Denied • Home Improvement Denied w Individuals who are Black represent: 42% of those arrested 2019, SB 37 created the right to expungement after a 3-7 year and 64% of the prison population. wait if the individual did not have another conviction. x In 2018, SB146 gave family court the right to immediately expunge juvenile felony arrest records upon dismissal. In •25 30

D Item 1. Chapter 4: Health and Housing ,co ] .~ 0 ©JAN;2.0~0 • 31

The World Health Organization has determined that certain non-medical factors have a substantial Housing as a Vital D Item 1. influence on health. 78 Housing is one of those Conditiony factors. There is a direct connection between homelessness Housing instability and homelessness have both a and health. An acute physical or behavioral health direct and indirect impact on the health of crisis, or any long-term disabling condition, may individuals and families. 79 Homelessness can cause lead to homelessness. Homelessness itself can disease or injury, or exacerbate an already existing exacerbate chronic medical conditions. health condition. 80 Households that face housing instability are often forced to choose between the Individuals experiencing homelessness experience cost of housing and other essentials, including the illness and disease at a greater rate than the cost of healthcare, prescriptions, and food. 81 The general population. 83 Homelessness is extremely direct link between health and housing was physically and mentally stressful and exposes demonstrated by the impacts of the COVID-19 individuals to communicable disease. This is virus, which disproportionately affected, and compounded by insufficient access to healthcare continues to affect, individuals without stable and exposure to injury. housing. 82 Health Conditions Among the Homeless Being without a home is a Population dangerous health condition. in Comparison to the General U.S. Population z People who are homeless Homeless ← Verses → Housed have higher rates of illness 18% Diabetes 9% and die on average 12 years 50% Hypertension 29% sooner than the general 35% Heart Attack 17% population. 20% HIV 1% 36% Hepatitis C 1% 49% Depression 8% Delaware, like the United States, continues to Substance Use 58% 16% struggle to address staggering health inequality. Disorder Unless housing is part of the solution, Delaware will be unable to effectively address the health needs Individuals who are homeless have significantly of its most vulnerable citizens. worse chronic health conditions aa than individuals with housing. 84 Cancer and heart disease are leading causes of death for individuals who are homeless. 85 But health conditions among people y According to the WIN Network: “Vital signs, like heart housing, access to meaningful work and wealth and a rate, temperature, and weight, tell us what is going in our sense of belonging.” body. VITAL CONDITIONS tell us what is going on in our z Homelessness and Health: What’s the Connection?” community and in the world around us. Vital conditions National Health Care for the Homeless. February are properties of places and institutions that we all need 2019. https://nhchc.org/wp- all the time to reach our full potential, like food, humane content/uploads/2019/08/homelessness-and-health.pdf aa Such as high blood pressure, diabetes and asthma. • 32

experiencing homelessness are often a complex mix of serious physical, mental health, substance In addition to ailments caused by poorly D maintained housing, families living in substandard Item 1. abuse, and social problems. Housing and health housing often face hunger and malnutrition. care, together, are essential to addressing these Families struggling to maintain stable housing often serious, complex health issues. sacrifice food to pay for housing costs. Households who are not experiencing In Delaware, one in eight people, and one in five homelessness, but are low- to extremely low- children, struggle with hunger. 93 Under-nutrition income, also have increased health risks and less causes children to have less energy and less access to healthcare. Cost burdened households interest for learning. 94 Under-nutrition also effects often prioritize paying for housing over healthcare physical growth. 95 Obesity is caused by costs. malnutrition if the diet of a child has low nutrient- density. 96 Hunger, undernutrition and malnutrition In Delaware, 73,324 or 12.9% of adults do not have can cause serious and long-term health effects. health insurance. 86 Without insurance, medical needs are often ignored until emergency care is needed. 87 Many uninsured cannot pay the cost of emergency medical treatment out of pocket, creating a greater debt burden for the household. 88 tttt t ttt A large number of households in poverty live in unhealthy housing. Many health issues can be linked to poor environment or unhealthy housing. For example, housing conditions such as lead, mold, and environmental toxins are strongly associated with asthma. 89 In Delaware 1 in 8 people struggles with hunger. An estimated 40% of pediatric asthma cases can be attributed to conditions in the home. 90 Children Homelessness is a traumatic experience. Adults and living in neighborhoods with high rates of poor children who experience homelessness have housing conditions are more likely to visit the significantly higher rates of emotional and hospital for an asthma-related illness. behavioral health problems. 97 In Delaware, an estimated 48% of homes were built Of the adults (18+) counted in the 2020 PIT Count, before 1978, are likely to contain lead paint, and 117 identified as having a diagnosed mental illness many are in a state of disrepair. Older housing in and 70 identified as having a substance abuse disrepair is more likely to expose young children to disorder. 98 Homeless children often struggle with the lead. Lead is toxic and effects a child’s organs, self-esteem which puts them at a high risk for systems, and neurological development. 91 When suicide, substance abuse, and other negative absorbed into the body, lead causes irreversible outcomes. 99 health effects and there is no cure. 92 • 28 33

Impact of the others, lack access to hand hygiene, and cannot self-quarantine. D Item 1. Pandemic Delaware, like other states, has tried to address Living in poverty is linked to poor health outcomes. these major health concerns by providing some In the years leading up to 2020, the official poverty non-congregate shelter for those at high risk of rate in the United States was on the decline. 100 COVID-19. The effort to do so is laudable, and is However, the COVID-19 pandemic caused sure to have saved lives during the COVID-19 crisis. widespread economic distress as well as under- Now, as Delaware looks to the future, the state and unemployment. The federal economic relief must make significant investments in stable, package in April of 2020 is estimated to have lifted affordable housing as a critical public health over 18 million people out of poverty. 101 But even intervention. with that assistance, many groups, including Black bb individuals and children cc, have faced heightened levels of poverty in 2020. 102 Looking Forward Poor health can cause homelessness when someone is unable to work dd or when they become The COVID-19 pandemic exposed our preexisting overwhelmed by medical bills. 103 The seriousness housing and healthcare crisis. Prior to 2020, many of the COVID-19 virus can result in prolonged Delawareans were unable to afford housing and inability to work and/or hospitalization where a healthcare. But 2020 demonstrated that true median stay in the ICU is 5 to 19 days. 104 disaster ensues when people and communities face simultaneous health and housing crises. The public As noted above, lack of housing can also cause health and housing systems are not working if, poor health. The line between health and housing during a state of emergency, individuals and has never been more clearly drawn than during the families have nowhere safe to shelter-in-place. COVID-19 crisis. When people have stable housing, they can spend Finally, homeless individuals living in shelters or on more time and resources on managing their health. the street are at high risk for communicable High utilization of emergency medicine ee by diseases such as COVID-19. People experiencing individuals who are living in poverty or individuals homelessness are at high risk because they may who identify as African American or Black have weakened immune systems or underlying demonstrate disparities in the healthcare system health conditions, often live in close proximity to closely linked to race, economic status, and safe and stable housing. 105 bb Black poverty rate was 26.3% compared to a white poverty the workplace and unemployment in Delaware has been rate of 12.3%. disproportionately shouldered by low-income workers.dd cc Child poverty rate reached an estimated high of 21.4% due ee Use of emergency medicine is a reflection of the greater health to lower employment rates among parents with children. needs of the community. Emergency rooms are the utilized by dd Nearly 44 million households in the United States have uninsured and publicly insured patients as a means of accessing income earners that are at risk of exposure to COVID-19 in medical care as privately insured patients are more likely to be directly admitted to the hospital from a doctor's office or clinic. •29 34

Ensuring that all Delaware residents have health insurance would help to provide stability to D Item 1. allocating funds to reduce healthcare costs and providing supplemental insurance to low-income marginalized populations. At a minimum, Delaware Delawareans. Health insurance would improve should administer a health insurance program that financial stability for many cost-burdened addresses the needs of the over 73,000 adults who households and, by improving economic status, do not have health insurance. Delaware can initiate help families to access safe, stable housing. health reforms for those who remain uninsured by HOUSING ALLIANCE DELAWARE Currently, evictions and foreclosures are on hold in Delaware. These interventions provide critical protection, and have saved thousands of families from eviction, displacement and their impacts. But these interventions are temporary. Thousands of people in our communities continue to be without access to stable housing. They are sleeping in cold weather shelters, temporary motel rooms, emergency shelters, and on our streets. When it comes to addressing the housing crisis in Delaware, we should not aspire to get “back to normal.” “Normal” was increases in homelessness. “Normal” was thousands of families without a stable place to call home. “Normal” was glaring inequities that disproportionately impact the health and wellbeing of people of color, particularly Black families. We must aspire to do better. We look forward to working with all of our partners to create healthier, stronger communities for all who call Delaware home. • 30 35

1 “Point in Time Homeless Count-2020.” Housing Alliance Delaware, 2020, D Item 1. https://static1.squarespace.com/static/59ca9d72268b96cb977e74fd/t/5f2c3c18a70e8e2213cfc9c5/1596734488577/2020+PIT- HIC+Summary.pdf 2 “Point in Time Homeless Count-2020.” Housing Alliance Delaware, 2020, https://static1.squarespace.com/static/59ca9d72268b96cb977e74fd/t/5f2c3c18a70e8e2213cfc9c5/1596734488577/2020+PIT- HIC+Summary.pdf 3 “Point in Time Homeless Count-2020.” Housing Alliance Delaware, 2020, https://static1.squarespace.com/static/59ca9d72268b96cb977e74fd/t/5f2c3c18a70e8e2213cfc9c5/1596734488577/2020+PIT- HIC+Summary.pdf 4 “How New Castle County Plans to Operate and Fund the Shelter at the Sheraton Hotel.” Delaware Public Media, November 18, 2020. https://www.delawarepublic.org/post/how-new-castle-county-plans-operate-and-fund-shelter-sheraton- hotel#:~:text=New%20Castle%20County%20cast%20the,gave%20it%20the%20green%20light. 5 “Ending Veteran Homelessness.” State of Delaware. http://www.destatehousing.com/vets/ 6 “Federal Data Summary School Years 2015-16 through 2017-18: Education for Children and Youth.” National Center for Homeless Education, January 2020. https://nche.ed.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Federal-Data-Summary-SY-15.16-to-17.18-Published- 1.30.2020.pdf; “Delaware.” National Center for Homeless Education. http://profiles.nche.seiservices.com/StateProfile.aspx?StateID=10 7 Education for Homeless Children and Youth.” Delaware Department of Education. https://www.doe.k12.de.us/homeless 8 Jordan Sisson, “Homeless People are Among the Most Vulnerable to the Coronavirus.” Yale School of Medicine, May 1, 2020. https://medicine.yale.edu/news-article/24400/ 9 Aurand, Andrew, et al. “Out of Reach.” National Low Income Housing Coalition, 2019, reports.nlihc.org/sites/default/files/oor/OOR_2019_REPORT.pdf. 10 “FY 2020 Income Limits Documentation System.” HUD. https://www.huduser.gov/portal/datasets/il/il2020/2020summary.odn?inputname=STTLT*1099999999%2BDelaware&selection_ty pe=county&stname=Delaware&statefp=10.0&year=2020 11 “FY 2020 Income Limits Documentation System.” HUD. https://www.huduser.gov/portal/datasets/il/il2020/2020summary.odn?inputname=STTLT*1099999999%2BDelaware&selection_ty pe=county&stname=Delaware&statefp=10.0&year=2020 12 “FY 2020 Income Limits Documentation System.” HUD. https://www.huduser.gov/portal/datasets/il/il2020/2020summary.odn?inputname=STTLT*1099999999%2BDelaware&selection_ty pe=county&stname=Delaware&statefp=10.0&year=2020 13 “FY 2020 Income Limits Documentation System.” HUD. https://www.huduser.gov/portal/datasets/il/il2020/2020summary.odn?inputname=STTLT*1099999999%2BDelaware&selection_ty pe=county&stname=Delaware&statefp=10.0&year=2020 14 Aurand, Andrew, et al. “Out of Reach.” National Low Income Housing Coalition, 2019, reports.nlihc.org/sites/default/files/oor/OOR_2019_REPORT.pdf. 15 Aurand, Andrew, et al. “Out of Reach.” National Low Income Housing Coalition, 2020, https://reports.nlihc.org/oor/delaware 16 “Alternative Measures of Labor Underutilization for States, Fourth Quarter of 2019 though Third Quarter of 2020 Averages.” US Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2020. https://www.bls.gov/lau/stalt.htm 17 ”Databases, Tables, and Calculators by Subject.“ Bureau of Labor Statistics. https://data.bls.gov/timeseries/LASST100000000000004?amp%253bdata_tool=XGtable&output_view=data&include_graphs=true 18 “Alternative Measures of Labor Underutilization for States, Fourth Quarter of 2019 though Third Quarter of 2020 Averages.” US Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2020. https://www.bls.gov/lau/stalt.htm 19 “Building Permits Survey: Permits by State.” U.S. Census. 2019. https://www.census.gov/construction/bps/stateannual.html 20 “Building Permits Survey: Permits by State.” U.S. Census. 2019. https://www.census.gov/construction/bps/stateannual.html 21 “Housing Needs by State: Delaware.” National Low Income Housing Coalition, 2020. https://nlihc.org/housing-needs-by- state/delaware 22 “2020 Delaware Statewide Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing Choice.” Delaware State Housing Authority. Executive Summary. November 2020. 23 “2020 Delaware Statewide Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing Choice.” Delaware State Housing Authority. Executive Summary. November 2020. http://www.destatehousing.com/FormsAndInformation/Publications/ai_2020_summary.pdf 24 Duffin, Erin. “U.S. Household Income Distribution from 1990 to 2019.” Statista. September 17, 2020. https://www.statista.com/statistics/219643/gini-coefficient-for-us-individuals-families-and- households/#:~:text=U.S.%20household%20income%20distribution%2C%20by%20Gini%2Dcoefficient%201990%2D2019&text=In%2 02019%2C%20according%20to%20the,over%20the%20past%2030%20years. 25 ”Universal Declaration of Human Rights.” United Nations, 1948. https://www.un.org/en/universal-declaration-human-rights/ • 31 36

Item 1. 26 ”Fact Sheet No.21, The Human Right to Adequate Housing.” United Nations. https://www.un.org/ruleoflaw/files/FactSheet21en.pdf 27 “Poverty Status in the Past 12 Months.” U.S. Census, American Community Survey, 2019. https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=S17&g=0400000US10&d=ACS%201- Year%20Estimates%20Subject%20Tables&tid=ACSST1Y2019.S1701&hidePreview=true 28 “American Families Face a Growing Rent Burden.” The PEW Charitable Trusts. April 2018. https://www.pewtrusts.org/- /media/assets/2018/04/rent-burden_report_v2.pdf 29 “American Families Face a Growing Rent Burden.” The PEW Charitable Trusts. April 2018. https://www.pewtrusts.org/- /media/assets/2018/04/rent-burden_report_v2.pdf 30 “2020 Delaware Statewide Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing Choice.” Delaware State Housing Authority. Executive Summary. November 2020. http://www.destatehousing.com/FormsAndInformation/Publications/ai_2020_summary.pdf 31 “FY 2022 Budget Public Hearing.” Budget Presentation by Delaware State Housing Authority to OMB. November 9, 2020. 32 Mattson-Teig, Beth. “The LIHTC Market Weathers COVID-19 Pressures.” National Real Estate Investor. June 1, 2020. https://www.nreionline.com/investment/lihtc-market-weathers-covid-19-pressures 33 Swanek, Thaddeus. “New Study Finds Commercial Construction Facing Shortages Due to COVID.” U.S. Chamber of Commerce. December 9, 2020. https://www.uschamber.com/series/above-the-fold/new-study-finds-commercial-construction-facing-shortages- due-covid 34 Sisson, Patrick. “Covid-19 is Killing Affordable Housing, Just as it’s Needed Most.” Bloomberg City Lab. July 30, 2020. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-07-30/the-u-s-affordable-housing-gap-is-getting-worse 35 “Alternative Measures of Labor Underutilization for States, Fourth Quarter of 2019 though Third Quarter of 2020 Averages.” US Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2020. https://www.bls.gov/lau/stalt.htm 36 "Goss: Economy's Future Depends on COVID-19 Vaccine." Creighton University, 2020. 37 “Occupancy Characteristics.” U.S. Census, American Community Survey, 2019. https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=S25&g=0400000US10&d=ACS%201- Year%20Estimates%20Subject%20Tables&tid=ACSST1Y2019.S2501&hidePreview=false 38 “Housing Needs by State: Delaware.” National Low Income Housing Coalition, 2020. https://nlihc.org/housing-needs-by- state/delaware 39 Share of Renters Reporting Rent Arrears Up Significantly since Summer.” National Low Income Housing Coalition, December 22, 2020. https://nlihc.org/resource/share-renters-reporting-rent-arrears-significantly-summer 40 “Delaware Affordable Housing News and Events.” Delaware State Housing Authority Newsletter. December 23, 2020. 41 “Eviction Filings by Week: Wilmington, Delaware.” Princeton University. Eviction Lab. https://evictionlab.org/eviction- tracking/wilmington-de/ 42 “COVID Policy Scorecard.” Princeton University. Eviction Lab. November 3, 2020. https://evictionlab.org/covid-policy-scorecard/ 43 “Delaware Quarterly Real Estate Report-Q1 2020.” Delaware State Housing Authority. http://www.destatehousing.com/FormsAndInformation/datastatmedia/real_estate_summary.pdf 44 “Delaware Quarterly Real Estate Report-Q1 2020.” Delaware State Housing Authority. http://www.destatehousing.com/FormsAndInformation/datastatmedia/real_estate_summary.pdf 45 “U.S. House Price Index December 2020.” Federal Housing Finance Agency. December 23, 2020. https://www.fhfa.gov/AboutUs/Reports/Pages/US-House-Price-Index-December-2020.aspx 46 “HUD PD&R Regional Reports: Region 3: Mid-Atlantic.” HUD. 3rd Quarter 2020. https://www.huduser.gov/portal/periodicals/USHMC/reg//MidAtlantic-RR-3Q20.pdf 47 “The Long & Foster Market Minute Focus on Delaware Housing Market.” Long & Foster. November 2020. http://marketminute.longandfoster.com/Market-Minute/DE/Delaware.htm 48 Eileen Smith Dallabrida. “First State Home Sales Heat Up to Start 2020.” Delaware Public Media, March 13, 2020. https://www.delawarepublic.org/post/first-state-home-sales-heat-start-2020 49 “October 2020 Existing and Pending Home Sales.” National Association of Realtors. https://www.nar.realtor/videos/october-2020- existing-and-pending-home-sales (stating that home sales had increased by 27% in comparison to October 2019, that buyer demand was strong and that home inventory was low.) 50 “The Long & Foster Market Minute Focus on Delaware Housing Market.” Long & Foster. November 2020. http://marketminute.longandfoster.com/Market-Minute/DE/Delaware.htm 51 “First-Time Homebuyer Affordability.” National Association of Realtors. https://cdn.nar.realtor/sites/default/files/documents/hai- q3-2020-first-time-homebuyer-affordability-2020-11-12.pdf 52 Assuming 40 hours a week for 52 week a year, which is 2,080 hours a year, the hourly wage of $9.25 would be $19,240 a year. 53 “Delaware Monthly Foreclosure Filings.” Delaware State Housing Authority. 2020. http://www.delawarehomeownerrelief.com/media/2012-2016_mort_complaints.pdf 54 “Delaware Monthly Foreclosure Filings.” Delaware State Housing Authority. 2020. http://www.delawarehomeownerrelief.com/media/2012-2016_mort_complaints.pdf • 32 37

Item 1. 55 Nationwide one in every 15,337 housing units had a foreclosure filing in July 2020. States with the highest foreclosure rates were Delaware (one in every 6,489 housing units with a foreclosure filing); South Carolina (one in every 7,328 housing units); Maine (one in every 7,542 housing units); New Mexico (one in every 8,255 housing units); and California (one in every 9,194 housing units). “U.S. Properties with Foreclosure Filings Continue Downward Trend Amid Coronavirus Pandemic.” ATTOM Data Solutions, July 2020. 56 “Sixth Modification: Declaration of State of Emergency.” Office of the Governor John Carney. March 24, 2020. https://governor.delaware.gov/health-soe/sixth-state-of-emergency/ 57 “Here to Help.” Fannie Mae, 2020. https://www.fanniemae.com/here-help-homeowners 58 “Mortgage Forbearance Rates during the COVID-19 Crisis.” Freddie Mac. November 2020. http://www.freddiemac.com/fmac- resources/research/pdf/202011-Insight-09.pdf 59 “Mortgage Forbearance Rates during the COVID-19 Crisis.” Freddie Mac. November 2020. http://www.freddiemac.com/fmac- resources/research/pdf/202011-Insight-09.pdf 60 “An Act to Amend Tile 19 of the Delaware Code Relating to Minim Wage.” Delaware State Senate. 151st General Assembly. 61 “The State of the Nation’s Housing 2020.” Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University, 2020. https://www.jchs.harvard.edu/sites/default/files/reports/files/Harvard_JCHS_The_State_of_the_Nations_Housing_2020_Report_Re vised_120720.pdf 62 “Racial Disparities and Equity: Homelessness in Delaware.” Housing Alliance Delaware. Summer 2020. 63 Semega, Jessica, et. al. “Income and Poverty in the United States: 2019.” United States Census Bureau. September 15, 2020. https://www.census.gov/library/publications/2020/demo/p60-270.html 64 Evictions filed: July 522, August 490, and September 720. As compared to a normal volume of 1,500. Data from Dr. Stephen Metraux, PhD, Director, Center for Community Research and Service, Joseph R. Biden, Jr. School of Public Policy and Administration, University of Delaware. 65 “Eviction Filings by Week: Wilmington, Delaware.” Princeton University. Eviction Lab. https://evictionlab.org/eviction- tracking/wilmington-de/ 66 Turner, Margery Austin et al. “Discrimination in Metropolitan Housing Markets.” Urban Institute. November 7, 2002. https://www.urban.org/research/publication/discrimination-metropolitan-housing-markets-0; “Housing Discrimination Against Racial and Ethnic Minorities 2012.” US Department of Housing and Urban Development, Office of Policy Development and Research. https://www.huduser.gov/portal/Publications/pdf/HUD-514_HDS2012.pdf 67 “The State of the Nation’s Housing 2020.” Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University, 2020. https://www.jchs.harvard.edu/sites/default/files/reports/files/Harvard_JCHS_The_State_of_the_Nations_Housing_2020_Report_Re vised_120720.pdf 68 “Homelessness and Racial Disparities.” National Alliance to End Homelessness. https://endhomelessness.org/homelessness-in- america/what-causes-homelessness/inequality/#_ftn1 69 Creamer, John. “Inequalities Persist Despite Decline in Poverty for All Major Race and Hispanic Origin Groups.” US Census Bureau. September 15, 2020. https://www.census.gov/library/stories/2020/09/poverty-rates-for-blacks-and-hispanics-reached-historic- lows-in-2019.html 70 “The State of the Nation’s Housing 2020.” Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University, 2020. https://www.jchs.harvard.edu/sites/default/files/reports/files/Harvard_JCHS_The_State_of_the_Nations_Housing_2020_Report_Re vised_120720.pdf 71 "Delaware Housing Needs Assessment 2015-2020.” Delaware State Housing Authority. September 2014. 72 Choi, Jung Hyun. “Explaining the Black-White Homeownership Gap.” Urban Institute. Housing Finance Policy Center. October 2019. https://www.urban.org/sites/default/files/publication/101160/explaining_the_black-white_homeownership_gap_2.pdf 73 “2020 Delaware Statewide Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing Choice.” Delaware State Housing Authority. Executive Summary. November 2020. 74 “2020 Delaware Statewide Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing Choice.” Delaware State Housing Authority. Executive Summary. November 2020. 75 “2020 Delaware Statewide Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing Choice.” Delaware State Housing Authority. Executive Summary. November 2020. 76 Section 39 of Senate Bill 260. 77 Eichler, Thomas P. “Race and Incarceration in Delaware: A Preliminary Consideration.” Delaware Center for Justice. https://www.prisonpolicy.org/scans/RaceIncarceration.pdf 78 “Social Determinates of Health.” World Health Organization. https://www.who.int/health-topics/social-determinants-of- health#tab=tab_1 79 Kushel, Margot B et al. “Housing instability and food insecurity as barriers to health care among low-income Americans.” Journal of general internal medicine vol. 21,1 (2006): 71-7. doi:10.1111/j.1525-1497.2005.00278.x 80 ”Homelessness and Health: What’s the Connection?” National Health Care for the Homeless Council, February 2019. https://nhchc.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/homelessness-and-health.pdf •33 38

Item 1. 81 ”2019 County Health Rankings Key Findings Report.” University of Wisconsin Population of Health Institiute and Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, 2019. 82 Culhane, Dennis, et al. “Estimated Emergency and Observational/Quarantine Capacity Need for the US Homeless Population Related to COVID-19 Exposure by County; Projected Hospitalizations, Intensive Care Units and Mortality. March 24, 2020. https://www.bu.edu/ssw/files/2020/03/COVID-paper_0325_1127am.pdf 83 “Homelessness and Health: What’s the Connection?” National Health Care for the Homeless. February 2019. https://nhchc.org/wp- content/uploads/2019/08/homelessness-and-health.pdf 84 “Homelessness and Health: What’s the Connection?” National Health Care for the Homeless. February 2019. https://nhchc.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/homelessness-and-health.pdf 85 Roncarati, Jill S. et al. “Mortality Among Unsheltered Homeless Adults in Boston, Massachusetts, 2000-2009.” JAMA Internal Medicine. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamainternalmedicine/article-abstract/2687991 86 “Prevalence of Health Care Coverage Among Delaware Adults, 2018.” Delaware Public Health. https://dhss.delaware.gov/dhss/dph/dpc/healthinsurance2017.html#:~:text=Overall%20in%202018%2C%2012.9%20percent,have% 20health%20insurance%20during%202018. 87 “Are We in a Health Care Crisis?” Interview with Sherry Glied, PhD, Associate Professor and Head of the Division of Health and Policy Management, Columbia University.” https://www.pbs.org/healthcarecrisis/Exprts_intrvw/s_glied.htm 88 “Are We in a Health Care Crisis?” Interview with Sherry Glied, PhD, Associate Professor and Head of the Division of Health and Policy Management, Columbia University.” https://www.pbs.org/healthcarecrisis/Exprts_intrvw/s_glied.htm 89 Farmer, Steven A. et al. “Community Based Approaches for Optimal Asthma Outcomes and Accountable Population Health.” Brookings. September 4, 2015. https://www.brookings.edu/research/community-based-approaches-for-optimal-asthma-outcomes- and-accountable-population-health/; Baxi, Sachin et al. “The Role of Allergen Exposure and Avoidance in Asthma.” US National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2975603/ 90 Braveman, P et al. “How Does Housing Affect Health?” Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. https://www.rwjf.org/en/library/research/2011/05/housing-and-health.html 91 “Lead Poisoning and Health.” World Health Organization. August 23, 2019. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact- sheets/detail/lead-poisoning-and-health 92 “Lead Toxicity: What are Possible Health Effects from Lead Exposure?” Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/csem/csem.asp?csem=34&po=10 93 “Hunger in Delaware.” Feeding America. https://www.feedingamerica.org/hunger-in- america/delaware#:~:text=In%20Delaware%2C%20121%2C850%20people%20are,of%20them%2038%2C680%20are%20children.&t ext=1%20in%205%20children%20struggles,to%20meet%20their%20food%20needs; “The State of America’s Children 2020: Child Hunger and Nutrition.” Children’s Defense Fund. https://www.childrensdefense.org/policy/resources/soac-2020-child-hunger- tables/ 94 “Nutrition and Health in Children and Role of the Healthcare Worker.” Ausmed. November 2, 2016. 95 Benton, D. “The Influence of Dietary Status on the Cognitive Performance of Children.” Molecular Nutrition and Food Research. 96 Ge, KY. “Defintion and Measurement of Child Malnutirion. BES: Biomedical and Environmental Sciences. 97 “Youth.” SAMHSA. April 15, 2020. https://www.samhsa.gov/homelessness-programs-resources/hpr-resources/youth 98 “Point in Time Homeless Count-2020.” Housing Alliance Delaware, 2020, https://static1.squarespace.com/static/59ca9d72268b96cb977e74fd/t/5f2c3c18a70e8e2213cfc9c5/1596734488577/2020+PIT- HIC+Summary.pdf (showing change from 921 to 1165) 99 “Youth.” SAMHSA. April 15, 2020. https://www.samhsa.gov/homelessness-programs-resources/hpr-resources/youth 100 Semega, Jessica. “Income and Poverty in the United States: 2019.” US Census. September 2020. https://www.census.gov/content/dam/Census/library/publications/2020/demo/p60-270.pdf 101 Parolin, Zachary, et al. “Monthly Poverty Rates in the United States during the COVID-19 Pandemic.” Columbia University’s Center on Poverty and Social Policy. October 15, 2020. https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5743308460b5e922a25a6dc7/t/5f87c59e4cd0011fabd38973/1602733471158/COVID- Projecting-Poverty-Monthly-CPSP-2020.pdf 102 Parolin, Zachary, et al. “Monthly Poverty Rates in the United States during the COVID-19 Pandemic.” Columbia University’s Center on Poverty and Social Policy. October 15, 2020. https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5743308460b5e922a25a6dc7/t/5f87c59e4cd0011fabd38973/1602733471158/COVID- Projecting-Poverty-Monthly-CPSP-2020.pdf 103 “The State of the Nation’s Housing 2020.” Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University, 2020. https://www.jchs.harvard.edu/sites/default/files/reports/files/Harvard_JCHS_The_State_of_the_Nations_Housing_2020_Report_Re vised_120720.pdf 104 Rees, Eleanor M. et al. “COVID-19 Legnth of Hosptial Stay: A Systematic Review and Data Synthesis.” BMC Medicine. September 3, 2020. https://bmcmedicine.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12916-020-01726- 3#:~:text=Median%20stay%20in%20ICU%20ranged,3). 34 • 39

Item 1. 105 “Emergency Department Utilization.” Delaware Health Information Network. https://public.tableau.com/profile/delaware.health.information.network#!/vizhome/EmergencyDepartmentVisits/EDVisits; “Emergency department visits within the past 12 months among children under age 18, by selected characteristics: United States, selected years 1997–2018.” Center for Disease Control. https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/hus/2019/036-508.pdf; “Emergency department visits within the past 12 months among adults aged 18 and over, by selected characteristics: United States, selected years 1997–2018.” Center for Disease Control. https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/hus/2019/037-508.pdf. • 35 40