New tents coming to Tharros village

When the Tharros tent village opens this spring, it will have 28 new, weather-hardened tents on sturdy platforms to house homeless guests.

Organizers unveiled an example of the new quarters March 4. Tharros is located on a 7-acre site, the former Delaware State Police Troop 7 location on Route 1 outside Lewes.

Mike Agnew, Tharros executive director, said the new tents were purchased from a Utah company. The 12-foot-by-12-foot wood platforms are being made by local volunteers.

“This tent configuration can withstand both UV rays that we experienced last year that deteriorated our recreational tents and also withstand high winds,” Agnew said.

Agnew said Tharros had to be evacuated twice last year before storms. Tharros is limited to 28 guests and tents at any one time. He said the tent and platform combination costs $1,100 each.

The group is looking to recoup those costs through donations, including a new program where people or companies can sponsor an individual tent. Agnew said they have received some sponsorship inquiries.

Tharros was supposed to open for the season Sunday, March 15, the day after Code Purple shelters close, but the recent snowstorms set back installation.

They are now planning for a phased opening, with 10 to 12 tents in place by the first week of April, according to Frank Arena, Tharros director of governance.

Arena said all 28 tents should be installed by early May.

Tharros will close Nov. 30, the day before Code Purple shelters open for the season.

Agnew said Code Purple guests who will qualify for Tharros will not be left out in the cold during that two-week gap.

“We’ll give them equipment so they can get through the remaining couple of weeks of cold weather, including a tent, sleeping bag and portable heater,” he said.

Agnew said there is no other facility to house them, so they will live in the woods behind Tharros. Agnew said there are as many as 25 people living there full time now.

Candidates must apply for a spot in Tharros and agree to abide by all the rules: no drugs or alcohol, they must have a job or volunteer assignment, and pass a background check.

Arena said they expect some people from last season to return this year.

He said said Tharros is doing its part to fill a growing need for affordable housing.

“Think about it, even at $15 per hour, that’s not sufficient income to get housing,” he said. “As our population expands, the number of amenities expands, there’s more restaurants, retail and accommodations, and they need low-income workers.”

Agnew said they are working with Delmarva Power and a local electrician to bring electricity to the site for an estimated $20,000 to $25,000. That will allow for lights, phone-charging stations and refrigeration for insulin. They are also looking to upgrade security cameras.

He said Beebe Healthcare will bring its mobile unit to the site once a week, Casella will provide trash removal and the United Church of Milford will bring portable showers once a week.

First State Community Action Agency will provide case management services, like help in finding jobs and housing.

Agnew said they have received a permit from the state Office of Management and Budget to operate in 2026. He said Sussex County Planning & Zoning Commission must still sign off on an agreement. But that will not delay the opening, he said, because the agreement with the county is only related to the storage of materials at the site.

Khalil Saliba, Lewes deputy mayor, came to see the new tents. Saliba said he has been working with the state budget director to get a multi-year lease for Tharros. In 2024, Lewes gave Tharros $25,000 from the American Rescue Plan Act for a fence around the property. Saliba said he supports the city giving more.

“There might be some challenges with some who believe we should only invest in nonprofits that are in city limits, but they’re not going to support a Camp Tharros in the city, so why not support it here?” Saliba said.

Agnew said they were hoping to raise $20,000 for their operating budget during the Delaware Day of Giving March 5.

“We’re taking the cream of the people who want to get out of the situation that they’re in, who want to go to work and we’re helping them along to make that successful. That’s what Tharros is,” Agnew said.