New Castle County moves forward with Family HOPE Project to support homeless families

New Castle County officials announced this week that they have secured $9.6 million in federal funding to launch the Family Hope Project this fall. (Photo courtesy newcastlede.gov)

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New Castle County officials provided an update this week on the Family Housing Opportunities for Purposeful Empowerment (HOPE) Project, a major initiative aimed at reducing homelessness among vulnerable families.

During a presentation to the County Council’s Community Services Committee on Tuesday, Michael Bowser, policy director for the county executive’s office, outlined recent progress in securing funding for the program, which is expected to begin enrolling families by September.

“This grant was very exciting for New Castle County. In my opinion, it’s a game changer,” said Councilman Penrose Hollins.

The Family HOPE Project is structured as a “Pay for Success” model and is designed to provide up to two years of housing support and wraparound services to 120 families experiencing or at imminent risk of homelessness. Participating families will receive rental assistance, case management, and financial coaching with the goal of achieving long-term housing stability. However, the initiative does not include prevention services.

RELATED STORY: New Castle secures $11M in federal grants for Family Hope Project

The county previously secured up to $11 million in federal funding through the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Social Impact Partnerships to Pay for Results Act (SIPPRA) in fall 2024. These funds will support evaluation of program outcomes and award up to $9.6 million based on the successful achievement of specific goals.

“This week’s presentation focused on the local funding that will support service delivery,” Bowser told councilmembers. “We’ve raised $2.2 million in grant funding from philanthropic partners, and we’re awaiting decisions on additional applications.”

The county will work with an independent evaluator to assess two key outcomes: housing retention and avoidance of shelter stays.

Officials said final agreements are being prepared ahead of the planned September launch.

Claudia Estrada

Claudia is a Philadelphia-based journalist and reporter passionate about storytelling that informs and engages the community. Claudia, a proud Temple University graduate, has built a career covering impactful stories and creating compelling content across digital and print media platforms. With a strong background in writing, editing, and research, Claudia has worked on various topics, from local news to in-depth features, always striving to deliver meaningful and accurate reporting.