Low- to moderate-income Sussex County residents who are signed up in a county program to help pay for home repairs wait five to seven years to get the work done.

A Sussex County councilman thinks a public-private partnership with local contractors could help ease that long waiting list.

Under the county's Community Development Block Grant program, over the past five years, $7.1 million has been spent to repair nearly 850 homes. Nearly 100 homes are scheduled for repairs in the coming fiscal year.

Even with the success of the program, there are 1,200 households on a waiting list for repairs, said Brad Whaley, director of the county's housing department. There are 900 households on the county's list, and 300 on the town lists.

He said a pool of funds provided by county council helps in extreme cases when repairs are critical.

During a recent county council meeting, Councilman Rob Arlett, R-Frankford, said the county should address the waiting list by reaching out to local contractors. “We have some amazing contractors here who have big hearts who could step up to meet some real needs,” he said. “We could reach out and partner with the private sector and shorten that list very easily. Just think if they could do 100 projects a year.”

Funding is used for a variety of exterior and interior home repairs, demolitions and water and sewer hookups. Jobs average about $15,000 and all work must be done to comply with county code, Whaley said.

To be eligible for the program, residents must own their homes, have insurance and have paid all taxes. Income levels are based on the area median income. A family of four with a household income of $30,900 would qualify under low-income guidelines as would a family of four with an income of $59,400 under moderate-income guidelines.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development funnels funds through the Delaware State Housing Authority, administered by the Sussex County Community Development and Housing department.

County council has provided more than $1 million over the past five years for emergency work. Priority is given to residents who are disabled, over the age of 65, low income and veterans. Funds are used to install water and heating systems, provide handicap accessibility, repair leaking roofs and for plumbing and electrical repairs.

Whaley said special emphasis was placed on the Pinetown community near Lewes this past year where 12 houses were repaired. He said extra work would be done in the Mount Joy area near Long Neck this year.

The county's housing department also administers the block grant program for the towns. This year, officials in 11 towns have requested funds to rehabilitate nearly 70 homes.

Phone 855-7777 for more information.