Why We Need an Affordable Housing Trust & Why Council Needs to Override the Mayor's Veto
- Christian Willauer
- 2 days ago
- 1 min read
Council passed legislation to create an Affordable Housing Trust because the City needs a process to tackle the issues of housing affordability and homelessness over the long-term.
The Affordable Housing Trust legislation defines that process.
Here's how it works:
A fund will be created to address housing issues in the city. An Advisory Board will provide guidance and oversight for how the money should be spent.
The City Department of Real Estate and Housing will be responsible for implementation, such as putting together program guidelines and managing grants.
City Council will approve funding decisions.
Decisions for how much money to put in the fund will be made annually through the budget process.
The City could also ask the state to contribute from the state bond bill.
The Affordable Housing Trust gives the community and City Council a voice in deciding what the main housing problems are and what needs to be done, as well as the transparency of having funding decisions be voted on in public.
While the Mayor might want to make decisions independently, ideas get better when we work together. Council needs to override his veto and we need to all start working together on short and long term solutions to make housing more affordable.
Read the legislation here: https://www.wilmingtoncitycouncil.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Sub.-2-to-Ord.-20-019-0199-An-Ordinance-to-Amend-Chapter-8-of-the-City-Code-to-Establish-an-Affordable-Housing-Trust-and-Community-Advisory-Board-W0131393x920B6.pdf
Recent media coverage here:
Carney vetoes City Council housing trust proposal; Darby calls for an override
Wilmington Mayor John Carney vetoes affordable housing trust ordinance
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