BREAKING: Three Council Members Unveil An Affordability Agenda For Wilmington
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.
No offense but If you are being serious about Public policy I need more details then “create an affordable water billing system” or “ensure substance abuse programs are going to people who need them” I mean sure, but that’s not a plan, that’s talking points on a campaign.
If they truly have a detailed plan I’m happy to look it over but this feels like 3 people wanting to run for higher office for a headline. Which I get it, is politics; but still…
If you listened to the press conference, you would have heard a lot more.
While the press release was broken down into bullet points, the presentation, which included Q and A, including questions from the press, was much more comprehensive.
I, of course, don’t blame you for not being there, but it was far from an empty PR event.
Do they have a package of bills ready for consideration?
Yes. The bills are either receiving final vetting from attorneys, are being circulated for sponsors, or are about to be introduced in Council.
The one exception is the rent stabilization proposal, which was voted down by Council on a 6-7 vote. On that proposal, they are circulating petitions for a citywide referendum, which wouldn’t be necessary if a council member or two would just flip their vote.
Is there a link where we can see them?
You can’t even link to bills in the General Assembly until they’ve been officially introduced.
As soon as any of the bills are introduced, I’ll link to them.
Al, there are three ordinances on the water proposals. I don’t know if they’re still current, but here they are:
https://www.wilmingtoncitycouncil.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/0046-An-Ordinance-to-Amend-Chapter-45-to-Set-Rules-on-Water-Utility-Arrearage-Monitions-Actions-W0123964x920B6-snd.pdf
https://www.wilmingtoncitycouncil.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/0037-An-Ordinance-to-Amend-Chapter-45-of-the-City-Code-to-Exempt-Elderly-and-Disabled-Residents-W0128424-1.pdf
https://www.wilmingtoncitycouncil.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/0026-CM-Darbys-Affordable-Water-Ordinance-W0128410x920B6-1.pdf
Is anyone pitching use of the 76ers field house as a temporary shelter? They have locker room facilities and plenty of space to set up cots. It is supposed to get down to single digits later this week.
That’s funny. Not because I dislike your idea, but because the LAST thing that the Riverfront Development Corporation is concerned about is helping suffering human beings.
Someone once joked to me that John carney never pursued coaching sports because he doesnt like being in charge. He enjoys being submissive to stronger, wealthier, more dominant men.
Checks out.