Executive order seeks to end homelessness

State officials kicked off the Delaware Interagency Collaborative to End Homelessness April 17 in New Castle, seeking to cut homelessness numbers in half over the next five years.

“Housing is a human right,” Meyer said before signing an executive order launching the collaborative. “I believe every Delawarean, I believe every American, I believe everyone in the world should have access to safe, decent and affordable housing.”

Meyer said he thinks there are too many task forces, but this one is vitally important. The collaborative has a similar mission to the expired Delaware Interagency Council on Homelessness, but with the council’s DICH acronym, Meyer said he welcomes the new name.

Officials shared statistics showing 1,585 people are currently homeless in Delaware, an increase of 16% from 2024. Of those, about 19% are households with children under 18, and those children make up about 27% of the state’s homeless.

The executive order establishes a 15-member group with an ambitious goal of eliminating homelessness statewide, and short-term goals of reducing homelessness by 50% in five years and ending youth homelessness in the same time frame. The director of the Delaware State Housing Authority will chair the group that includes cabinet secretaries, and county, city and nonprofit officials.

The group is tasked with expanding successful programs in Kent and Sussex counties, while reviewing existing programs, policies and funding, and recommending ways to streamline and coordinate efforts across state agencies and community organizations.