Sussex County Rental Program SCRP Amendment Ordinance ORD 26-01:   REGARDING AFFORDABLY PRICED RENTAL UNITS AND THE SUSSEX COUNTY RENTAL UNIT PROGRAM (SCRP). Read full text
 

The 2018 Comprehensive Plan states that the shortage of affordable housing remains a very real problem for low to moderate-income households in Sussex County, including many with full-time, year-round jobs; and that Sussex County should ensure that a diversity of housing opportunities are available to meet the needs of residents of different ages, income levels, abilities, national origins and household configurations. The current SCRP program has not fulfilled the
affordable housing goals of the Comprehensive Plan.

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SPC's Position On Amendment
 

1. SPC strongly supports the expansion and strengthening of this program.
 

2. The County should clearly identify its “Affordable Housing” needs. Sussex County needs a quantifiable goal in order to measure its progress.
 

3. Council should identify key performance measures in their proposed revisions of the SCRP program, and should retain the provisions that require comprehensive reviews of the program.
 

4. Rents should be set at 30% of monthly income for households at 50-80% of Area Median Income (AMI), rather than at the proposed 25% of monthly income for households at 60% AMI. Establishing a single, fixed-rent requirement of 25% of monthly income for households at 60% AMI is not appropriate if part of the goal is to serve a wider range of households.

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5. Policies that address the needs of households with a monthly income up to 80% AMI have the benefit of including coverage for a wider range of jobs/occupations, including young teachers and medical staff.
 

6. In addition, a fixed percentage of units should be set at 50% AMI to ensure that potential beneficiaries of this program, including persons with disabilities and seniors, are not excluded.

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Important Dates:
 

The P&Z Public Hearing took place on April 1, 2026. Listen to meeting audio recording
 

The Council Public Hearing is scheduled for May 19, 2026 in the Council Chambers, Sussex County Administrative Office, 2 The Circle, Georgetown.

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