Executive Order #8

WHEREAS, the 2025 annual Point-in-Time (PIT) Count revealed that there are 1,585 people experiencing homelessness in Delaware; and

WHEREAS, the 2025 Delaware PIT Count reported 19.3% of Delaware households experiencing homelessness were households with children under 18; and

WHEREAS, children under 18 accounted for the largest age group experiencing homelessness (27.3%); and

WHEREAS, Delaware’s homeless population experienced a 16% increase between  2024 and 2025; and

WHEREAS, the rising costs of housing and lack of affordable options are contributing factors to homelessness; and

WHEREAS, the Delaware Interagency Council on Homelessness (DICH), previously tasked with some of this work, was dissolved in 2018.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, MATTHEW S. MEYER, by virtue of the authority vested in me as Governor of the State of Delaware, do hereby DECLARE and ORDER the following:

1. The Delaware Interagency Collaborative to End Homelessness (the “Collaborative”) is hereby established. This Collaborative will expand and grow work initially begun by the DICH.
2. The duties of the Collaborative include the following:
   1. Directing the identification of state homelessness programs, funding, and resources by:
      1. Performing a statewide review of all agencies, non-profits, and advocacy groups working in the homelessness arena;
      2. Reviewing in a regular and comprehensive way the state policies, plans, programs, and activities concerning individuals and families who are homeless, and identifying which state departments, agencies and funding sources are used in these programs, and determining their success or identifying opportunities for improvement;
      3. Using the data on homelessness from the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) and other non-duplicative, technology-based methods of collecting such information for analyses; and
      4. Identifying impediments, including any statutory and regulatory restrictions, to the effective provision of needed services to individuals and families who are homeless in Delaware.
   2. Directing the consolidation of those state resources in one place by:
      1. Effectively coordinating and maximizing resources of existing programs and activities to prevent homelessness and to assist individuals and families who are homeless to obtain housing;
      2. Overseeing the implementation of government programs and activities in support of a plan to reduce homelessness by 50% and end youth homelessness in Delaware within five (5) years; and
      3. Recommending changes in existing programs and services, expansion of existing programs and services, and additional programs and services as may be necessary to address the diverse causes and conditions of homelessness.
   3. Directing reports and recommendations on increasing services and decreasing homelessness rates across the state by:
      1. Providing the Governor, the General Assembly, and the general public with analyses and recommendations on state and federal legislative proposals and regulations and policies affecting individuals experiencing homelessness, including proposing legislation, regulations and policies to improve the delivery of services;
      2. Preparing and submitting to the Governor and the General Assembly an annual report, due January 15th, of the activities of the Collaborative and the status of services and programs for individuals and families who are homeless, for the previous year; and
      3. Examining the feasibility of, and making recommendations for, the creation of the successful HOPE Center model in both Kent and Sussex Counties.
3. Administrative support for this Collaborative will be provided by the Delaware State Housing Authority.
4. The Collaborative shall be composed of 15 members appointed by, and serving at the pleasure of, the Governor. Members of the Collaborative shall be persons charged with the management of programs mandated and authorized by the McKinney–Vento Homeless Assistance Act in Delaware and persons currently charged with the management of other public funds targeted to services for the homeless in Delaware. The following members shall serve by virtue of their position and may designate a person to serve in their stead and at their pleasure:
   1. The Director of the Delaware State Housing Authority;
   2. The Secretary of the Department of Health and Social Services;
   3. The Secretary of the Department of Services for Children, Youth, and Their Families;
   4. The Secretary of the Department of Labor;
   5. The Secretary of the Department of Education;
   6. The Commissioner of the Department of Correction;
   7. The Chair of the Senate Housing and Land Use Committee;
   8. The Chair of the House of Representatives Housing Committee;
   9. The County Executive of New Castle County;
   10. The Kent County Administrator;
   11. The Sussex County Administrator;
   12. The Mayor of the City of Wilmington;
   13. The Mayor of the City of Dover;
   14. The Executive Director of the Housing Alliance of Delaware; and
   15. The Chair of the Delaware Continuum of Care.
5. The Governor may increase the size of the Collaborative and appoint additional members at his pleasure.
6. Members of the Collaborative shall serve without compensation.
7. The Director of the State Housing Authority shall serve as Chair of the Collaborative.
8. The Collaborative shall determine its meeting schedule. Meetings shall be open to the public and held in an accessible place and with accommodations for people with disabilities. To the extent possible, the meetings will be recorded and minutes posted.
9. The Collaborative may draft and adopt bylaws governing its operations, consistent with the provisions herein.
10. The Collaborative may establish committees as may be necessary and practicable to carry out the aforementioned duties.
11. A simple majority of the total membership shall constitute a quorum which shall be necessary to vote on any issue.