Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that increases requirements for municipalities to develop goals for affordable housing development in Delaware.

Highlights:

• Reduces the time that counties have to rezone lands to match their comprehensive development plans from 18 months after adoption to 12 months after adoption (Sec. 1-3).

• Requires municipalities with a population greater than 2,000 to include an affordable housing plan in their comprehensive development plans, effective November 15, 2025 (Sec. 4).

• Requires the affordable housing plans of such municipalities to include objectives that make measurable progress toward a strategic goal of having 20% of all housing units in the local jurisdiction qualify as affordable housing, and to diversify the types of housing available (Sec. 7).

• Requires residential development applications for a use that is permitted by-right under zoning ordinance to be reviewed through an administrative review and approval process (Sec. 7).

• Requires affordable housing plans to include at least five elements from a provided list for increasing housing production, including affordable housing production, in the local jurisdiction (Sec. 7).

• Requires annual reports by the Delaware State Housing Authority and the Office of State Planning Coordination showing each local jurisdiction’s progress toward meeting the goals identified in its affordable housing plan (Sec. 7).

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that increases requirements for municipalities to develop goals for affordable housing development in Delaware.

Highlights:

• Reduces the time that counties have to rezone lands to match their comprehensive development plans from 18 months after adoption to 12 months after adoption (Sec. 1-3).

• Requires municipalities with a population greater than 2,000 to include an affordable housing plan in their comprehensive development plans, effective November 15, 2025 (Sec. 4).

• Requires the affordable housing plans of such municipalities to include objectives that make measurable progress toward a strategic goal of having 20% of all housing units in the local jurisdiction qualify as affordable housing, and to diversify the types of housing available (Sec. 7).

• Requires residential development applications for a use that is permitted by-right under zoning ordinance to be reviewed through an administrative review and approval process (Sec. 7).

• Requires affordable housing plans to include at least five elements from a provided list for increasing housing production, including affordable housing production, in the local jurisdiction (Sec. 7).

• Requires annual reports by the Delaware State Housing Authority and the Office of State Planning Coordination showing each local jurisdiction’s progress toward meeting the goals identified in its affordable housing plan (Sec. 7).

Full Bill Text