Even fiscally conservative Council President Vance Phillips, R-Laurel, seemed to be touched by the holiday spirit at the Tuesday, Dec. 15 meeting.

“Maybe there should be a social component to county government,” Phillips said. “As long as it’s revenue neutral.”

After listening to a pair of presentations from organizations in need of housing, County Administrator David Baker said the county purchased three homes near Georgetown in anticipation of county airport expansion. He said the houses would be available for a limited amount of time – one until 2013 and the others until 2020.

Baker said some rehabilitation work would be needed.

By consensus, council agreed to allow county staff to get more information.

The organizations making presentations are involved in providing housing for released prison inmates, homeless people and those recovering from substance abuse.

Patricia Taylor Walp, wife of a fallen police officer and mother of a prison inmate, said The One Program is a 12-month residential reentry initiative that helps incarcerated fathers reconnect with their children.

“We want to bring the father back into the family,” she told council. About 50 percent of all male inmates are fathers.

She said the pilot program would involve inmates at Sussex Correctional Institution where she works as a counselor in the Boot Camp program. She said fathers’ and children’s programs would run simultaneously and include counseling, training, visitations, and employment and educational paths for fathers.

She said the program costs about $17,000 per family a year compared to $26,000 to $30,000 per year to house an inmate in prison.

Jim Martin, Delaware outreach coordinator, was once a resident of Oxford House, which provides housing for people recovering from alcohol and drug addiction. In the self-help environment of an Oxford House, residents are given training and opportunities to stay out of jail while curing their addition.

Not only did Martin conquer his addiction, he became employed by the program and has helped start six houses. Twenty-five Oxford Houses can be found in Delaware, including Georgetown, Lewes and Rehoboth Beach.

He said it’s hard for anyone, let alone those with substance abuse problems, to find affordable housing. He said 14 months is the average stay.

“We are not a halfway house but a three-quarters house because we pay our bills,” Martin said. “Give us a chance and see how cost effective we can be.”

He said he would also like to pursue a modest loan program with the county. Martin said residents pay up to $100 a week for rent.

Baker said other social organizations could be interviewed. “We can do more research to see if the properties fit with any programs,” he said.