Wilmington City Council members Coby Owens (District 1), Shané Darby (District 2) and Christian Willauer (District 5) today announced a proposed legislative affordability agenda for Wilmington at a morning press conference.
Councilman Coby Owens stated that ‘our city is struggling and…many people in our city are struggling’.
Shané Darby emphasized that rent stabilization alone won’t cure the issue, but that new affordable housing initiatives must be supported. ‘A city that prioritizes luxury development over people will lose both.’
Christian Willauer said ‘no one should pay taxes on a home assessed for more than they could sell their houses for’.
The proposals below address the concerns raised by the council members.
The Agenda calls for the following:
HOMEOWNERS:
Find and fix errors in property assessments to make sure no one is being over-charged for taxes and everyone– including big developers and corporations– pays their fair share.
RENTERS:
Pass rent stabilization to limit how much rents can be increased each year.
Require new development to include units affordable to people with regular jobs.
Prevent evictions by providing rental and settlement assistance.
Bring back pre-rental inspections to make sure renters live in safe conditions.
Create a Housing Trust Fund to build more rental homes people can afford.
WATER BILLS:End foreclosures for homeowners for overdue water bills.
Stop water shutoffs for overdue water bills when the family includes a senior, person with a disability, and or a child under 5.
Create an affordable water billing system.
HOMELESSNESS:Increase emergency & transitional shelters and permanent supportive housing units.
Ensure homeless, mental health, and substance use services are reaching people who need them the most.
The proposals have been endorsed by the Working Families Party Of Delaware.
The conference featured quite a detailed policy conversation, inlcuding a lengthy Q and A. Something that Carney will likely dismiss b/c it lacks the imprimatur of Buccini/Pollin and/or the Chamber.