Forty years ago, Habitat for Humanity of New Castle County started with a simple belief: that every family deserves a safe, stable place to call home. Four decades later, that belief has become 330 front doors opened and a community that keeps showing up for its neighbors. This year we're celebrating that milestone alongside two more. Habitat for Humanity International turns 50, and our CEO, Kevin L. Smith, marks 30 years of leadership.

Numbers tell part of the story. Sheena Porter tells the rest.

For years, nearly all of Sheena's income went toward rent and utilities, and homeownership felt out of reach. After discovering our Homeownership program, she found hope and a renewed energy to invest her sweat equity, working through every step of the program and building financial literacy and homeownership acumen along the way.

In June, she cut the ribbon on her own home at Sankofa Place, the first homeowner among her siblings and cousins. "Peace of mind, more security, and feeling safe," she said, describing what she was looking forward to most.

Sheena is one of a new class of Sankofa Place and Grace Point III homeowners this year, including Atiah A., Jamal A., Patricia S., Tanyya B., Patrice P., and Nátháliá J.

Together, we build on 40 years of impact. 

The people who keep New Castle County running increasingly can't afford to live in it. This should not be so. Teachers, nurses, first responders, and trades workers, the ones we count on every single day, are being priced out of homeownership in the communities they serve. They've earned a real shot at a home of their own, and we have one to offer.

The numbers make the gap plain.

In Delaware, homebuying stays out of reach until a household earns at least 120% of the area median income, roughly $80,000, but three-quarters of the state's renters earn less than that, which leaves only about 20% of homes for sale within their budget. An entry-level Delaware teacher earns around $59,800. Half of Delaware renters are already cost-burdened, paying at least 30% of their income on housing, and 25,000 are severely cost-burdened, paying more than half. These are working people, not people out of work.

Our Let's Open the Door campaign is built for exactly this group: workers who earn too much for some assistance programs and not enough to buy at today's prices. Partner families invest sweat equity, work through financial coaching, and buy their homes with a zero-interest mortgage. Zero percent is almost unheard of in today's market, where Delaware rates hover above 6%. 

Here's where you come in. If you know a service worker who's been priced out of homeownership, tell them about us. Share this newsletter. Point them to our website. Families often tell us they didn't know this was possible until someone said so.

We build stronger neighborhoods when the people who serve them can put down roots. Let's open the door together.

Opening doors isn't only about homeownership. Sometimes it's about giving a young person their first real look at the work behind a mission. This summer, we had the chance to do exactly that.

Navya Veeragandham joined us as a Bank of America Student Leader, bringing energy and sharp thinking from her studies at the University of Southern California, where she's earning a B.S. in Business Administration. Over five weeks, she delivered two projects that moved our development work forward.

For our Women Build program, Navya interviewed committee members and turned those conversations into a growth and fundraising plan, including a pickleball tournament we'd love to execute, complete with projected costs and returns. She also built a beta AI tool that helps our team draft grants, report, and research more efficiently.

“Navya has been such a wonderful addition to our team this summer. Her enthusiasm, willingness to learn, and dedication to our mission made a real difference. We are grateful for the work she accomplished and the positive impact she had on Habitat for Humanity of New Castle County.” -Tara Quinn, Director of Development

Beyond the deliverables, the experience helped Navya clarify her own path, sharpening her goals as a business major toward product management and development. That's what opening the door looks like from both sides, and it reflects our commitment to raising up the next generation.

We're grateful to Navya and to Bank of America and Habitat for Humanity International for making the summer possible.

Thank You to Our ReStore Donor Recognition Program Partners