County committee reviews $200,000 contract to create transitional housing for veterans

The New Castle County Administrative Finance Committee on March 24 considered Resolution R26-071, which would authorize a $200,000 contract with Joseph M. Walls’ organization to assist in creating new affordable transitional housing for veterans and people experiencing homelessness under the county’s Department of Community Services, Division of Community Development and Housing.

Councilman Smiley introduced the item and emphasized the project’s location within the Route 40 corridor in the Fairwinds area and noted the contract is certified and cleared with county law. “This is part of actually the revitalization of the Route 40 corridor in the Fair Winds area,” Smiley said.

Several council members spoke in support. Councilman Hollins praised Walls’s work with veterans, saying, “He has worked diligently to make certain that veterans receive their respect and to intrude honors.” Council President Johns also urged support and asked to be added as a co-sponsor, calling Walls “a pillar” who “has assisted so many veterans in the community.” Councilman Kaneko and Councilman Tackett described Walls’s hands‑on community work and the project’s importance for providing transitional housing to veterans who need it.

The chair asked for public comment; none was recorded online. The meeting transcript records council discussion and requests to be listed as co-sponsors but does not record a final vote on R26-071 during this session.

Next steps noted in the discussion included continued staff processing and coordination with the Division of Community Development and Housing; no implementation timeline or contract-execution date was specified in the transcript.