Delaware Continuum of Care welcomes new Code Purple site

The membership of the Delaware Continuum of Care applauds the efforts of Rep. Pete Schwartzkopf, D-Rehoboth Beach, and Sen. Ernesto Lopez, R-Lewes, for working with community leaders to secure the Delaware State Police Troop 7 building as a Sussex County Code Purple site serving the Lewes and Rehoboth area.

A former law enforcement building near Lewes will now be used to house individuals experiencing homelessness in Sussex County.  The vacant Delaware State Police building is slated to open as a homeless shelter soon.

Schwartzkopf and Lopez worked together to secure the Route 1 space, after Troop 7 moved to its new location on Mulberry Knoll Road. Both legislators have worked tirelessly within the community to find a viable solution for those experiencing homelessness in the Lewes/Rehoboth Beach area. 

“We commend Rep. Schwartzkopf and Sen. Lopez for working together and moving quickly to ensure emergency shelter is available during the cold winter months to the homeless in the Lewes/Rehoboth area. With their efforts and behalf of the homeless men and women who will have a warm place to stay, words cannot express our appreciation,” said Carrie Sawyer Casey, chair of the Delaware CoC.

Sussex County Code Purple needs help. “As a community, we are proud to be a part of the solution to the issue of homelessness. There are several ways you can participate and be a part of this solution. We are just getting started and there is more work to be done. Volunteers and supplies are needed. Immediate needs are new or gently used cots, single flat sheets and totes,” said Susan Kent, Delaware CoC board member and executive director of Love Inc. which operates Sussex County Code Purple.

Sussex County Code Purple and the Delaware CoC encourage individuals, families, civic associations and other community groups to volunteer to get this new site open and operational immediately. The act of volunteering and/or donating lets everyone in the community know that the people care about the most vulnerable citizens and it gives the opportunity to let each resident know they are a valued member of our community.

They encourage anyone interested in more information, volunteering, conducting a donation drive for supplies or donated necessary supplies or equipment to visit Love, Inc’s website: www.codepurplesussexcounty.com. 

The Delaware CoC is a statewide community-based collaborative that ensures a responsive and fair approach to addressing homelessness and strives to achieve housing for all. They have approximately 65 members which include homeless service providers and other organizations which provide the continuum”of services to Delaware’s homeless. To get involved, go to www.housingalliancede.org/the-delaware-continuum-of-care.