b'Ray FitzgeraldExecutive Director, Wilmington Housing AuthorityWilmington Housing Authority Narrative 4. The Foster Youth to Independence (FYI) InitiativeFYI makes housing choiceThe Wilmington Housing Authority (WHA) is the largest direct provider of affordablevoucher (HCV) assistance available to public housing agencies (PHAs) in housing opportunities in the state of Delaware. WHA is committed to developing,partnership with public child welfare agencies (PCWAs).Under FYI, PHAs provide providing, and managing safe and affordable housing for low-income families in thehousing assistance on behalf of youth at least 18 but not more than 24 years of city of Wilmington. age (have not reached their 25th birthday) who left foster care or will leave foster care within 90 days.WHAs mission is to provide well-maintained, decent, and safe housing in a5. MainstreamMainstream vouchers assist nonelderly individuals with disabilities. professional, efficient, and fiscally responsible manner. WHA continues to create andAside from serving a special population, mainstream vouchers are administered implement programs that help residents improve their economic standing, becomeusing the same rules as other housing choice vouchers.more self-sufficient, and achieve their goals.Below are a few of WHAs programs. 6. Homeownership ProgramThe homeownership program allows eligible familiesthat are assisted under the HCV program to use their voucher to buy a home and Housing Programs receive monthly assistance in meeting homeownership expenses, down-payment HUD is the federal agency that oversees the programs that WHA administers toassistance, and support.support vulnerable low-income individuals. HUD programs are extensive, but below is a list of HUD programs that WHA administers: YouthBuild ProgramWHA YouthBuild Program is a community-based pre-apprenticeship program that 1 Public HousingPublic housing was established to provide decent and safeprovides job training and educational opportunities for youth between the ages 16rental housing for eligible low-income families, the elderly, and individuals withand 24 who have previously dropped out of high school. The program focuses on disabilities. Public housing comes in all sizes and types, from scattered single- education, occupational skills training, leadership development, and high-quality family houses to high-rise apartments for elderly families.post-program.2. Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8)The housing choice voucher program is thefederal governments major program for assisting the lowest income families,Participants can earn their GED high school equivalency from state-certified the elderly, and the disabled to afford decent, safe, and sanitary housing in theinstructors and receive work readiness training to enhance their resume. They private market.also gain a professional certificate through hands-on career development training a.Participants are able to find their own housing. and mentorship in their chosen career path. Career paths include construction, b. A housing subsidy is paid to the landlord directly by the PHA on behalf offorklift operator, commercial drivers license (CDL), culinary, healthcare, informationthe participating family. The family then pays the difference between thetechnology (IT), and customer service.actual rent charged by the landlord and the amount subsidized by the program. In addition, participants receive one-on-one career counseling to help navigate the 3. Veteran Affairs Supportive Housing (VASH)The VASH program is a collaborativecompetitive job market and obtain long-term employment after completion of the effort between the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD),program. They also receive one-on-one support through our case management the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), and local public housing authoritiesservices to support their program completion.that provides housing assistance to eligible veterans.Delaware Three Rivers Area Economic Development Master Plan 172'