Community Services

While assisted living facilities (ALFs) may be slightly more expensive than neighboring states, Delaware is actually easier on the wallet than other areas. Seniors in Delaware qualify for to up to $12,500 state income tax exclusions from retirement income and an additional $2,500 exclusion for those over age 65. There is no sales tax and there is less gas tax than other states. As well as the financial perks, Delaware is home to scenic beaches and peaceful parks, close to many historical landmarks, and a thriving jazz hub.

The fastest growing population of homeless people are intact families. Existing programs in Delaware are focused on single adults and/or women with young children – few organizations in Delaware are designed to help families who lose their homes.

Family Promise is a national interfaith organization providing food and hospitality for homeless families since 1988. There are more than 141 operating networks in over 39 states, involving more than 120,000 volunteers from more than 5,000 congregations – assisting more than 220,000 people, including more than 130,000 children. In 2006, 80% of the families assisted by Family Promise found housing!

The Northern New Castle County Plan: A “Network” involves a partnership of 13 congregations, a Family Promise Day Center and a van for transport. A Family Promise Center provides assistance (job leads, counseling, shower and laundry facilities, etc.) during the day. In the evenings the families are transported to an area congregation where they are provided dinner, their own rooms for the night, and breakfast. The families are taken back to the Day Center. Participating congregations host three or four families for one week each quarter (only four weeks a year). The Network provides the beds and the transportation to and from the Family Promise Center.

Hockessin United Methodist Church supports Habitat for Humanity in many ways. Recently, a silent auction raised almost $3,500 to support Habitat's objective of providing housing.

Habitat for Humanity International is a nonprofit, nondenominational Christian housing organization.

We welcome all people to join us as we build simple, decent, affordable houses in partnership with those who lack adequate shelter.

Since 1976, Habitat has built more than 175,000 houses, providing shelter for nearly 900,000 people worldwide. Now at work in 100 countries, we are building a house every 26 minutes. By 2006, Habitat houses will be sheltering 1 million people.

Local Habitat affiliates coordinate house building and select partner families.

Habitat houses are purchased by the homeowner families. Three factors make the houses affordable to low-income people worldwide:

Houses are sold at no profit, with no interest

charged on the mortgage.

Homeowners and volunteers build the houses

under trained supervision.

Individuals, corporations, faith groups and others

provide financial support.

Homeowner families are chosen according to their need; their ability to repay the no-profit, no-interest mortgage; and their willingness to work in partnership with Habitat. Habitat for Humanity does not discriminate according to race, religion or ethnic group.

Good Neighbors Inc. provides home repairs and financial guidance to homeowners who lack the physical or financial means to make necessary home repairs. For 25 years, with support from generous donors and local volunteers, Good Neighbors has helped hundreds of families in southern Chester County, PA. In so doing, we restore hope and dignity to our neighbors and our neighborhoods. Now, we are expanding in to northern New Castle County, DE to share with homeowners there our hope as neighbors who care.