Delaware

University of Delaware students struggling with housing cost and limited availability, according to new study

Published

10 months ago

February 12, 2025

University of Delaware students struggling with housing cost and limited availability, according to new study

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Across the country, universities are grappling with a worsening student housing crisis. Rising rents, limited on-campus accommodations and increasing enrollment have left many students struggling to secure affordable housing.

In Boston, nearly 70% of students at Boston University and Northeastern live off-campus, often competing with long-term city residents for space. In California, the University of California system has faced lawsuits over housing shortages. And at Temple University in Philadelphia, some students have been left with no choice but to sleep in cars due to a lack of affordable housing options.

The University of Delaware is no exception. With a growing student population and an increasing reliance on off-campus housing, many students — particularly graduate students — are facing mounting financial pressures.

A study conducted in 2024 by Abdulrasheed Dawodu, a UD alumnus, examined the struggles of African graduate students at the university. The findings revealed that over 80% of respondents spend more than 30% of their income on housing, while 46% pay more than half of their income on rent. That makes them what HUD classifies as “extremely cost-burdened.”

“That’s quite alarming,” Dawodu said. “We need to understand some of the peculiarities about the African students. One, they are limited by the number of hours they could work. Based on their contract, they could only work on campus and they could only work 20 hours a week on campus.”

But the issue isn’t new. Housing constraints at UD have been decades in the making.

UD’s housing problem did not start overnight

There was a time when finding a dorm at UD wasn’t as difficult as it is today. In the 1950s, the university built enough dormitories to house 60% of its undergraduate students. However, between 1972 and 1991, no new dorms were constructed, even as enrollment increased. Today, only 38% of undergraduates live on campus, leaving thousands to find housing in Newark’s increasingly competitive rental market.

“The school had a policy of not building additional on-campus housing for students,” Dawodu said. “The policy was just to only rehabilitate what was available, and what was available could only house about 38% of even the undergraduate students.”

The university’s decision to reduce its on-campus housing stock by 1,900 beds in recent years has further compounded the issue. One of the most notable losses was Christiana Towers, a high-rise complex that once housed hundreds of students.

“The apartment [complex] was being considered to be used as, I think they wanted to make it like a garden. That’s good from an environmental standpoint,” Dawodu said. “If the school is not expanding, and the available [dorm buildings] get demolished and used for something else without actually replacing [them], to me, I think that’s not the most efficient strategy at that time given the fact that housing is insufficient for the students.”

Christiana Towers has remained vacant since its closure in 2019. Some students and alumni argue that repurposing the complex into affordable housing could help alleviate the student housing crunch.

UD officials say the towers are no longer viable for student living and will be demolished in the near future.

“We are moving towards demolition of those buildings. They will come down,” José-Luis Riera, UD’s Vice President for Student Life, confirmed. “We really assess that the buildings could no longer provide the high-quality experience … that we want all of our residence halls to have.”

“We are identifying what sites exist on campus for new residential projects,” he said. “That’s certainly potentially one of them, but we haven’t gotten as far as conceptualizing what that project might look like at this point.”

The lack of a concrete replacement plan has left some students wondering whether UD’s housing strategy is keeping pace with student needs.

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Delaware

Housing advocates urge Wilmington officials to do more to address homelessness

Published

13 hours ago

November 25, 2025

Press Room

Housing advocates urge Wilmington officials to do more to address homelessness

Mayor John Carney vowed to address homelessness in his first year in office. He is proposing allowing unhoused people to camp in one of the city’s parks. But all other encampments would be banned.

“As we attempt to provide support for the unhoused here in Wilmington, we have a responsibility on how, on behalf of the residents of neighborhoods, to ensure that Wilmington operates in an orderly and lawful way,” he said in October.

Raquel Cruz said she doesn’t think the mayor’s plan goes far enough.

“The mayor needs to do much, much more than just shuffle the unhoused around rather than try to pursue better outcomes for them,” she said.

Raquel Cruz and Noel Camacho joined the rally at Wilmington City Hall to advocate for more services for the homeless. (Sarah Mueller/WHYY)

Housing advocates argue a ban on sleeping outside criminalizes homelessness. They said Wilmington needs more shelter beds and affordable housing.

Carney said city officials would provide restroom facilities and clean water for Christina Park residents and will explore adding a shower facility there. On-site security is also part of the plan.

The city is also working with the Wilmington Housing Authority and the Ministry of Caring to open a dining hall for the homeless at the WHA site a block away from Christina Park.

People marching on the sidewalk and holding up signs — Marchers walk to the Wilmington city hall as part of a progressive movement meant to rally support for homeless services. (Sarah Mueller/WHYY)

The mayor has also argued that Philadelphia’s efforts to clean up Kensington, an area known for an open-air drug market and homeless encampments, is adding to Wilmington’s homeless population looking for shelter and services.

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Delaware

Here’s which stores are open for Thanksgiving, Black Friday shopping in Delaware

Published

1 day ago

November 24, 2025

Press Room

Here’s which stores are open for Thanksgiving, Black Friday shopping in Delaware

Whether you need to grab some last-minute Thanksgiving ingredients or are planning to indulge in the doorbuster deals on Black Friday, you’ll need to know the store hours of your local grocery stores, malls and retailers.

This year, Thanksgiving falls on Nov. 27, and the annual Black Friday shopping rush falls on Nov. 28.

Order from Instacart:

Here’s which Delaware stores and malls are open during Thanksgiving and Black Friday.

What are Christiana Mall’s Thanksgiving, Black Friday hours?

Christiana Mall near Christiana will be closed for Thanksgiving, but will have special expanded hours on Black Friday from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.

What are Concord Mall’s Thanksgiving, Black Friday hours?

Concord Mall in Brandywine Hundred is also closing its doors Thanksgiving, but will be open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Black Friday.

What major retailers are open on Thanksgiving, Black Friday?

Before racing off to find Black Friday deals, check when these major retailers are open.

Target: Target stores will be closed on Thanksgiving and open at 6 a.m. on Black Friday.
Walmart: All Walmart stores will be closed on Thanksgiving and open the following day at 6 a.m. for Black Friday deals.
Boscov’s: Boscov’s will be closed on Thanksgiving and open on Black Friday.
Macy’s: Macy’s will be closed on Thanksgiving and open on Black Friday.
Best Buy: Best Buy stores will be closed on Thanksgiving and open on Black Friday.
Kohl’s: Kohl’s will be closed on Thanksgiving and reopen at 5 a.m. on Black Friday.
TJ Maxx: TJ Maxx stores will be closed on Thanksgiving and open at 7 a.m. on Black Friday.
JCPenney: JCPenney locations will be closed on Thanksgiving and reopen Black Friday at 5 a.m.
Nordstrom: Nordstrom stores will be closed on Thanksgiving and open on Black Friday.

What grocery stores are open on Thanksgiving?

If you’re looking to get supplies for your Thanksgiving dish or you forgot a key ingredient before the big meal, here are Delaware grocery stores’ hours on Thanksgiving.

Wegmans: Wegmans will close early on Thanksgiving at 4 p.m.
ShopRite: ShopRite will close early at 4 p.m.
Acme: Acme markets are open until 4 p.m.
Giant Food: Giant stores are open until 5 p.m.
Aldi: Aldi locations will be closed on Thanksgiving.
Food Lion: Food Lion stores will be open until 3 p.m.
Costco: Costco is closed on Thanksgiving.

Sophia Voight is a growth and development reporter. Reach her with feedback and story tips at svoight@delawareonline.com.

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Delaware

AARP Delaware honors Bethany volunteer for community service

Published

2 days ago

November 23, 2025

Press Room

AARP Delaware honors Bethany volunteer for community service

AARP Delaware recently announced Ted Spickler of Bethany Beach was honored with its 2025 Andrus Award for Community Service, the association’s most prestigious and visible state volunteer award.

A retired professor, Spickler was recognized for his extraordinary dedication to community service. As an AARP Delaware advocate, Spickler regularly traveled to attend volunteer meetings, committee hearings and legislator meetings, demonstrating his deep commitment to improving the lives of older Delawareans and strengthening the community. As the legislative committee chair of Delaware’s South Coastal AARP Chapter, he keeps the committee and chapter informed about a variety of issues that affect older Delawareans and their families.

Beyond his work with AARP, Spickler is active with Citizens Climate Lobby, advocating for policies to create a healthier environment for future generations.

“Ted embodies the spirit of volunteerism, sharing his skills, knowledge and enthusiasm to support his AARP chapter, our state office and his community,” said Wendell Alfred, AARP Delaware volunteer state president. “His curiosity, dedication and kindness have been a great example for other volunteers.”

Recipients across the nation were chosen for their ability to enhance the lives of AARP members and prospective members, improve the community in or for which the work was performed, and inspire others to volunteer.

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