Celebrating Homeownership Month

(l to r) HUD Regional Administrator Jane C.W. Vincent, homeowner Janell Woodton and Delaware Governor Jack Markell celebrate homeownership on Legislative Mall in Dover.

Homeowner Janell Woodton and AmeriCorps volunteers pose in front of the frame of her home.

The sound of hammers hitting wood broke the silence on Dover's Legislative Mall on June 10 as federal, state and local officials were banging home the theme of homeownership. HUD Regional Administrator Jane C.W. Vincent joined Governor Jack Markell, Delaware State Housing Authority, Habitat for Humanity, Delaware Association of REALTORS, Home Builders Association of Delaware and Delaware Health and Social Services to celebrate homeownership month. The goal was to frame a home for Janelle Woodton and her family and to build awareness about the importance of homeownership.

"Delaware's commitment to housing is evidenced by our homeownership rate, which is second highest in the nation at 74.3 percent," said Governor Markell.

Delaware Association of REALTORS President Eric Braunstein explained that homeownership matters and it does help families build wealth.

"Homeownership is the firmament of a healthy economic environment," Braunstein added. "The average sale of a home in Delaware creates over $50,000 worth of economic activity."

It was first-time homeowner Janell Woodton's sentiments that everyone will remember. "To own my own home means a lot," Ms. Woodton said, expressing her gratitude to those involved. She explained how she is only the third homeowner in her entire family, and that she wanted to show her kids that homeownership isn't such an impossible dream. But, before she could finish, the reality of the day set in and she burst into tears of happiness.

After the June 10, 2015 event, the frame was moved to its permanent location on Kirkwood Street in Dover where Woodton with other volunteers, including AmeriCorps, completed it for a July move-in date. To help others achieve the American Dream of homeownership, HUD has awarded the First State more than $111,000 for housing counseling.

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