Tharros organizers confident of summer opening

The organizers of the Tharros tent village just outside Lewes say they are confident the homeless space will open this summer.

Tharros hosted a community information night at the Lewes Public Library May 22. Mike Agnew, Tharros president, presented details of the low-cost, self-governed camp.

It is located on the 7-acre site of the former Troop 7 state police barracks on Route 1. The status of the 28-tent village is now in the hands of Sussex County Council, which is scheduled to hold a public hearing Tuesday, June 17. The county planning & zoning commission gave a positive recommendation to council.

Frank Arena, Tharros director of governance, said they will be ready to go as soon as they get a green light.

“We’re looking at an operating date of July 1. That may slip, or not, but we are ready to open two weeks after we get a signed contract,” Arena said.

Arena said their partners are lined up to install portable restrooms, a trash dumpster and fencing before residents move in. 

The City of Lewes provided $25,000 in funds from the American Rescue Plan Act to pay for the fence and hookups to the utilities.

Agnew said security cameras will monitor the camp 24/7. There will be access for emergency vehicles.

Tharros, which is a Greek word meaning courage, completed a 45-day pilot program last fall that ran from Oct. 15 through Nov. 30. Agnew said the services it provided were successful in getting some people out of homelessness.

“Five of our residents from last year are now in houses. We just had a 72-year-old woman who just got her own house,” he said.

The village was expected to reopen March 15, the day after Code Purple men’s and women’s shelters closed for the season. But, it has been delayed by the requirement for a permit from Sussex County and an agreement with the state.

Agnew said the Tharros self-governance model provides a unique level of safety for the area’s unsheltered.

“When the residents move in, they will elect a mayor. They’ll communicate with our Tharros team through that mayor. It allows them to make decisions as well. We’ll hold town halls with our residents to make sure we know what their needs are,” Agnew said.

The residents are not charged to live there. 

“Their rent is working or volunteering in the community and going to case management,” Agnew said.

He said they now have an agreement with the City of Rehoboth Beach’s streets department for up to four Tharros guests, 200 volunteer hours per week, to clean up the Boardwalk in the morning.

Agnew said community partners are providing critical services to residents, like free repairs to bikes and cars. 

Beebe Healthcare brings its mobile community health clinic for wellness checks. Banyan provides rehab services. First State Community Action Agency handles case management.

Agnew said Tokyo Steakhouse has been a supportive next-door neighbor.

He said the Tharros model is all about giving people dignity.

“Every human being needs a place to close their eyes safely. I would say we’re creating that safe place,” Agnew said.