Affordable apartments moving along in Angola

The 7.4-acre parcel at the corner of Dorman Road and Route 24 is still a bit muddy, but officials are hoping 42 affordable apartments will be move-in ready by fall.

Sen. Lisa Blunt Rochester toured the Angola site May 29, amid the hum of machinery, to celebrate progress that has been made to build the first half of Chapel Branch Apartments, what eventually will be an 84-unit affordable housing apartment complex.

“This could’ve been two homes, but this will be able to support 84 units,” Blunt Rochester said. “Everybody is coming together and saying there is a crisis. People not being able to live close to their jobs.”

Partners on the project include Volker construction, the Delaware State Housing Authority, Cinnaire, EGStoltzfus, Architectural Concepts and Stearns Bank.

Blunt Rochester was particularly pleased to see a bus stop along Route 24 included in the complex design. 

“The cool thing about this is there is even going to be a transit stop here,” she said.

In addition to private funds, funding for the $16.5 million 42-unit section comes from a combination of county, state and federal sources. Matt Padron, managing director of development for Volker construction, said they have used tax credit equity from DSHA, and received $1 million in American Rescue Plan Act funding.

“We believe everyone deserves high-quality housing,” Padron said.

Leasing for the 42 units that include two- and three-bedroom apartments is expected to begin by late summer with tentative move-ins by late fall.

Padron said units will go to those making under 80% of the area median income. The units are not subsidized and renters will have to show income.

“It’s more oriented for families,” he said.

A playground and community center are among the site’s amenities.

A 2024 Cape Gazette article on the Chapel Branch’s groundbreaking stated there will be 24 two-bedroom units and 18 three-bedroom units. Rents will range from $458 per month to $1,850 monthly.