Delaware

New Castle County adopts ‘pocket housing’ to tackle housing affordability

Published

1 year ago

December 30, 2024

New Castle County adopts ‘pocket housing’ to tackle housing affordability

“It allows for growth densities that are higher than what is allowable today,” Patibanda said. “The neighborhoods are little groups of smaller detached housing units that are oriented around a common open space like a courtyard, a garden, a walkway and it’s intended to create smaller scale housing.”

Patibanda also pointed to existing models as inspiration. “There’s about 12 of [these homes] in Bellefonte … clustered around a common open space. That’s a great example of what a pocket community is and what we’re trying to achieve.”

Addressing a housing crisis

The ordinance also addresses Delaware’s severe affordable housing shortfall. According to the state’s housing authority, thousands of units are needed to meet demand, and New Castle County lags in production.

The pocket housing ordinance includes provisions for moderately priced dwelling units in developments over 25 homes, ensuring that affordability remains central to these projects.

“We expect them to be more affordable just right off the bat. And there’s an additional moderately priced dwelling unit requirement. If a pocket neighborhood goes above 25 units, then we actually require the developers or the home builders to set aside a certain percentage of that project to be what we call [Moderately Priced Dwelling Units]. And that’ll go into the county’s MPDU program, which is administered by the Department of Community Services.”

This initiative is part of a broader strategy that includes expanding accessory dwelling unit allowances and passing redevelopment legislation to convert underutilized properties into mixed-use housing. These combined efforts aim to provide a wider array of housing options for working families across the county.

With the ordinance now in place, the Department of Land Use hopes developers will seize the opportunity to bring pocket housing projects to life. While Patibanda acknowledges this initiative alone won’t solve Delaware’s housing crisis, she sees it as a meaningful step forward.

“Our vision is to see these communities take shape over the next five to 10 years,” she said. “We think these little neighborhoods will be very beneficial to Delawareans.”

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Delaware

Delaware County’s 250th events aim to boost local economy

Published

4 hours ago

January 10, 2026

Press Room

Delaware County’s 250th events aim to boost local economy

DELAWARE COUNTY – Delaware County is gearing up for a year-long celebration of the United States’ 250th anniversary, bringing together community partners for a series of events and programs.

Delaware County’s plans for the semiquincentennial

The Delaware County America 250 Commission hosted a “We the People” party to unveil plans for the upcoming celebrations.

The events aim to educate and connect the local community while drawing visitors from outside Philadelphia to explore the area’s rich history.

What they’re saying:

“Delaware County is not just watching from the sidelines, we are proud to be an essential part of a massive regional and national celebration,” said Christine Reuther, Delaware County Council Vice Chair.

Andrea Silva, director of the Delaware County America 250 Commission, highlighted the diverse themes that will be showcased throughout the year.

Celebrating 250 years of history

The backstory:

Friday’s event celebrated Delaware County’s 250-year history, with different tables reflecting various themes.

Attendees included Colonial Farmstead, Penn’s Woods Winery, and Pathways to Freedom.

The programming will feature over 100 events, including the Battle for Independence: Amazing Race to Brandywine and the Irish America 250 Kick Off on Jan. 14.

The celebrations are expected to leave a lasting legacy, with hopes of boosting the local economy.

“We want to see real economic impact for our local businesses as visitors from around the world come to shop on our main streets and stay in our towns and eat in our restaurants,” said Reuther.

What’s next:

This year’s county event specifics can be found here.

The Source: Information from the Delaware County America 250 Commission.

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Delaware

Wilmington’s first homicide of 2026 claims life of 19-year-old

Published

16 hours ago

January 9, 2026

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Wilmington’s first homicide of 2026 claims life of 19-year-old

A 19-year-old man was shot dead in Wilmington’s Southbridge neighborhood in the early hours of Jan. 9, police said.

Wilmington officers arriving to the 200 block of S. Claymont St. about 3:30 a.m. found the teen there.

The teen, whom police have not named, was pronounced dead at the scene.

Anyone with information about this shooting should contact Wilmington Police Detective Derek Haines at (302) 576-3656. People can also provide information to Delaware Crime Stoppers at (800) TIP-3333 or delawarecrimestoppers.com.

Violence by the numbers

This is the first homicide reported this year in Delaware, which last year saw a slight drop in all violent killings.

Delaware police reported 52 people being killed in violent crimes in 2025, a drop of nearly 12% when compared with 59 people killed in 2024, according to a Delaware Online/The News Journal database.

While the number of people killed in homicides statewide is down, the number of people killed by gunfire in Delaware was up in 2025 for the third year in a row.

According to the Delaware Online database, 47 were shot dead in Delaware last year. That was one more victim (46) than in 2024, three more (44) than in 2023 and nine more (38) than in 2022.

Despite the increase in gun-related deaths, there were fewer people shot last year in Delaware for the second year in a row.

Police reported 164 people being shot last year in Delaware. The previous year saw 195 people shot and police reported 210 people being shot in 2023.

This was the fewest people shot in Delaware since 2018, when police reported 146 people being shot statewide.

Send tips or story ideas to Esteban Parra at (302) 324-2299 or eparra@delawareonline.com.

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Delaware

MERR responds to dead humpback whale washed up near Bethany Beach

Published

1 day ago

January 9, 2026

Press Room

MERR responds to dead humpback whale washed up near Bethany Beach

A dead humpback whale washed up near Bethany Beach on Jan. 8, according to the nonprofit Marine Education Research and Rehabilitation Institute.

The juvenile male was first seen Jan. 6, floating at sea about 2 miles off the Indian River Inlet, a MERR Facebook post said. The bloated 30-foot whale ultimately beached near a private community in the early afternoon of Jan. 8, the post said.

MERR is attempting to coordinate with the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control to get equipment to move the whale out of the water and onto the beach to perform a necropsy, the post said. Right now, there isn’t enough information to determine a cause of death.

Delaware saw at least three dead whales last year, in the Indian River Bay, at Delaware Seashore State Park and at Pigeon Point. The first two were humpbacks, while the Pigeon Point whale was a fin whale.

A necropsy on the Delaware Seashore whale found blunt force trauma across its back, indicating it may have been struck by a ship, MERR Director Suzanne Thurman said.

Recently, on Jan. 4, a dead fin whale was found on the bow of a ship at the Gloucester Marine Terminal in New Jersey, which is located in the Port of Philadelphia on the Delaware River.

Shannon Marvel McNaught reports on southern Delaware and beyond. Reach her at smcnaught@gannett.com or on Facebook.

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