Elected officials take part in Sussex Habitat build in Milford

Sussex County Habitat for Humanity welcomed state and county leaders to Milford Oct. 10, for an Elected Officials Build Day, highlighting the power of partnership and the shared commitment to expanding affordable housing opportunities in Sussex County.

Delaware Gov. Matt Meyer; Sen. Dave Wilson, R-Lincoln; Rep. Bryan Shupe, R-Milford; Rep. Claire Snyder-Hall, D-Rehoboth Beach; and Alonna Berry, D-Milton; along with Sussex County Council members Matt Lloyd and Steve McCarron, joined Sussex County Habitat for Humanity volunteers and staff to help construct one of the nine homes in its Milford Homeownership Project. The project is set to be completed in spring 2026.

“One thing I’ve always loved about Habitat, and particularly Habitat for Humanity Sussex County, is that every Delawarean can play a part,” said Meyer. “You can come in, get a hammer, get a nail and help build a house for someone.”

The event offered an opportunity for state and local leaders to experience firsthand the impact of affordable housing development and the importance of community collaboration in addressing housing challenges throughout Sussex County.

“In our mission statement, we talk about bringing people together to build homes, communities and hope,” said Kevin Gilmore, Sussex Habitat CEO. “To have our leadership in Delaware truly understand the issue, actually swing a hammer and see what it takes to combat the lack of housing, it really goes a long way. We invite the whole community to be part of solving this issue and have a good time in the process.”

The Milford Homeownership Project is the organization’s third neighborhood revitalization initiative in the last five years, designed to create lasting, affordable housing opportunities for working families in the community. These homes represent just a handful of the 201 houses Sussex County Habitat for Humanity has built and sold since 1991.

“It’s very important to work with people across the aisle to come together and recognize there is a housing crisis here in Delaware,” said Shupe. “The government can only go so far, and we need organizations like Habitat to help us on our mission to have this crisis come to an end.”

Through initiatives like the Milford Homeownership Project, Sussex County Habitat for Humanity continues its mission to build homes, communities and hope across the county by partnering with individuals, organizations and leaders to make safe, affordable housing a reality for all.

For more information about Sussex County Habitat for Humanity’s programs and upcoming events, go to sussexcountyhabitat.org.