Resident Assistance Programs

City Of Newark Programs

Utility Payment Assistance Centers – Several organizations have partnered with the City to help its residents struggling to pay for utility services. These include Catholic Charities, The Hudson Center, Newark Empowerment Center, Holy Angels, Holy Family, St. Vincent’s DePaul and DEHAP. 

Efficiency Smart- Efficiency Smart helps residents and businesses reduce their energy use and save money. The program offers advice on home energy rebates, appliance recycling, home energy assessments and more. It also offers solutions for small and large businesses.

Home Improvement Loan Program – This program provides loans for necessary home repairs/rehabilitation to eligible homeowners under the CDBG program. Newark homeowners who make below 80% of the area median income for NCC are eligible. Repairs that may qualify under this program include roofing, siding, heating, plumbing, electric, sewer and water systems and accessibility modifications.

Senior Home Repair Program – The Newark Senior Center and Community Services Corporation assist homeowners over the age of 60 with minor free home repairs that focus on health, safety and security. Home value cannot exceed $278,050.

Parks and Recreation Fee Assistance Program - The Parks and Recreation Department requested CDBG funds to support the Recreation Fee Assistance Program. The program assists low- to moderate-income families to take part in City-sponsored activities and programs by eliminating registration fees as a barrier to participation, allowing these families to enjoy the full benefit of City recreational activities and programming. 

The City funds a number of other programs through CDBG and the City’s Revenue Sharing Program by outsourcing this to community organizations to do direct assistance to Newark residents. These include the following:

Newark Day Nursery (NDN) - Day Care Scholarships - The Newark Day Nursery Children’s Center requested funds to provide tuition assistance to low and moderate-income children, and their parents, participating in accredited early care and education programs for children ages 1 – 5 and after school programs for children ages 6–14. The service enables parents to attend work, obtain an education, or participate in training programs knowing that their children are in a safe, nurturing, educational environment.  NDN families pay tuition on a sliding scale depending on their family income level. Funds received from the CDBG program are used to cover the difference between what a family can pay and the real cost of providing the service. Because tuition supplements are provided on a sliding scale based on income, the total number of participants to be served will vary depending on the number of applicants and their individual income levels.

Newark Senior Center - Meals on Wheels Program - The Newark Senior Center is requesting funds to subsidize the home delivery of meals to homebound elderly or disabled residents of the City of Newark. Meals-On-Wheels is a meal delivery program serving a hot, nutritious, mid-day meal to homebound City of Newark participants. Approximately 22% of the Meals on Wheels clients live in the City of Newark, for a total annual cost of over $76,091 to serve the City’s population. The client’s residency and ability to donate toward the cost of their meals is determined during an initial interview and a sliding scale is used to provide a recommended client donation for meals. Meals are prepared fresh each day using the Newark Senior Center kitchen, and consist of a protein source, side of rice or pasta, a vegetable, cup of soup, serving of bread, milk, and a homemade dessert. All meals are delivered by volunteers from the community, service organizations, churches and area corporations and businesses, who also help to provide human contact for clients otherwise facing very isolated circumstances.

The Food Bank of Delaware: Mobily Pantry Program - The Food Bank of Delaware has received funds through the Revenue Sharing Program to host four Mobile Food Pantry distribution events in underserved communities in the city of Newark. The Mobile Food Pantry provides both shelf-stable and fresh foods to low-income Delawareans. The truck arrives stocked with dairy, fresh produce, non-perishables, frozen meals, and other refrigerated items.  Each event will provide food assistance for up to 75 households in need, with each household receiving up to 75 pounds of food and other essential items. Assistance includes produce, dairy, proteins, shelf-stable food items, household supplies, and hygiene products. The Food Bank of Delaware will collaborate with the city’s mayor and council to identify the communities most in need.

Newark Area Welfare Committee Emergency Cash & Food Assistance - The Newark Area Welfare Committee (NAWC) requested funding to continue its Emergency and Food Assistance Program. This program provides emergency monies to Newark residents in need of assistance with their utility bills and rent, as well as temporary lodging, medical expenses, mortgage payments, shoes, food, and other immediate needs that residents face during times of significant financial challenges. Funds from the grant are used only to help Newark residents that meet guidelines established for public assistance by staff of the Hudson State Service Center. Residency is documented through interviews by Hudson Center staff and verified by a NAWC representative. The goal of the program is to help the client through an emergency when other agencies are unable to help.

Newark Arts Alliance – Camp Imagine Scholarships for kids - The Newark Arts Alliance requested funds for scholarships for low-income Newark families to attend “Camp Imagine,” which is held off site at the Newark Center for Creative Learning on Phillips Avenue. The two week, full-time, summer art camp includes sessions of visual arts (drawling, painting, clay, and mixed media) and performing arts such as dance and theater, for up to 36 children ages 7 to 12. Each week, the camp runs Monday through Friday, from 9 AM to 4 PM, both before and after-care is made available on a sliding scale based on family income.

YWCA Delaware, Inc. – Economic Empowerment Program 

YWCA Delaware, Inc., requested funding for the Delaware Economic Empowerment Program, dedicated to eliminating barriers to success and achieve economic advancement and self-sufficiency for individuals and families. This program provides valuable financial literacy, economic advancement with a focus on sustainable homeownership and practical financial education. Through both workshops and one-on-one counseling, HUD-approved housing counselors and qualified financial coaches work with clients to develop budgets and navigate the financial system. With projections based on experience, the YWCA expects to serve over 50 individuals from the City of Newark. The YWCA will collect documentation to ensure the households served are City of Newark residents. 

Newark Bike Project – Youth Empowerment Program - The Newark Bike Project (NBP) is a volunteer-based nonprofit community bike shop offering shared access to professional repair tools and knowledgeable volunteer mechanics to residents of Newark. NBP is constantly working to educate, empower and create a strong sense of community and encourage sustainability. To this end, the NBP applied for funding for a Youth Empowerment Program, which educates middle and high school students about bike safety and maintenance, trains them in leadership, and organizes them to carry out bike safety and ridership workshops in the Newark area, as well as other community service activities. Youth programs include support for local safe routes to school programs in partnership with WILMAPCO, the City of Newark, the Christina School District, BikeNewark, and DelDOT.

Lori’s Hands Spring Clean-Up Day and Home Safety Project - Lori’s Hands was established as a community health service-learning program to meet the needs of adults living with chronic illness in Newark. In addition to assistance with activities such as grocery shopping, light cleaning, and meal preparation, volunteers also provide companionship and social support to clients during weekly visits. These services are designed to specifically support individuals who want to remain living independently in the community. Lori’s Hands requested Revenue Sharing funds towards its inaugural Spring Clean Up Day for an expansion of Lori’s Hands Services to target residents living in Newark. The Clean-Up day will offer assistance to both current clients and others in Newark with chronic illness who are not presently enrolled in Lori’s Hands but who may be interested in the future. 

Good Neighbors – Home Repair Program - Good Neighbors requested funding to do four (4) free home rehabilitations/repairs at properties in the City of Newark for low to moderate income households. Good Neighbors sends a project manager to assess the scope of work. They focus on “critical repairs” like installing wheelchair ramps, fixing electrical and plumbing issues, and repairing or replacing water heaters, furnaces, windows, doors, and leaking roofs as well as addressing any other safety or health issues. The project manager then with the Volunteer Coordinator brings together local church and business volunteers to work on the home.  This means that a $12,000 grant could accomplish 30K or more worth of home repairs.

New Castle County Programs

Hope Center - The Mission of the New Castle County Hope Center is to house and support adults & families experiencing homelessness during the Covid-19 Pandemic.

Down Payment & Settlement Assistance – This program enables low and moderate income households to purchase a home by providing assistance to cover the down payment and/or settlement charges. 

Blue Hen Bounty - St. Thomas Episcopal Church has received revenue sharing funds for their Blue Hen Bounty food pantry program. Blue Hen Bounty is a food pantry initiative serving University of Delaware staff and students. The program is supported by grants and volunteer efforts. Each day, the pantry provides food, hygiene products, and feminine hygiene products for the pantry.

Sean's House - Sean’s House is a nonprofit organization that provides resources for youth struggling with depression, self-injury, and suicidal thoughts. They have three main objectives: to educate, support, and assist young people who may be dealing with mental illness. The City of Newark provides Revenue Sharing funds for their SL24 Mental Health Access Scholarship Program. which was created to help young individuals experiencing acute mental health episodes who require specialized professional services beyond what Sean’s House can provide. This scholarship covers services for those who are uninsured, underinsured, or face financial barriers to accessing mental health care.

Rehab.com - Rehab.com helps Newark residents and their families quickly find verified, local treatment centers, support groups, and recovery services. Its nationwide directory includes inpatient, outpatient, detox, and specialized programs, with information on insurance coverage and facility ratings.

State Of Delaware Resident Programs:

Delaware 2-1-1 – Delaware 211 is a partnership with United Way of Delaware to connect residents to health and human services including housing, utility assistance, healthcare, food, senior services, substance abuse, legal help and other services. Residents requiring services can dial 2-1-1 to be connected with a team member.

Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) - This program includes grants for home heating, crisis assistance and summer cooling assistance. Eligibility is defined as 200% of the federal poverty level.

Energize Delaware Loan Programs:

For financial assistance, we encourage you to explore Energize Delaware's Home Energy-Efficiency Loan Program. You may qualify for favorable financing options to help fund energy-efficient improvements to your home. Additionally, Energize Delaware offers Residential Solar Loans, providing low-interest loans to credit-qualified homeowners in Delaware to support the purchase of customer-owned, on-site renewable energy systems.

State Of Delaware Small Business Programs:

EDGE grant - Encouraging Development, Growth and Expansion. The Division of Small Business awards EDGE Grants through a competitive selection process. STEM-based companies can receive up to $100,000 for eligible expenses. Entrepreneur Class (non-STEM) businesses can get up to $50,000. The funds are provided as a $3 (state) to $1 (business) match. And the Division can provide up to 10 grants per application round (5 STEM/5 Entrepreneur).