At the YMCA of Delaware, we witness what many only read in the headlines: the growing need for stable, affordable housing in our communities.
For a century, our Central YMCA building in downtown Wilmington has provided a safe and clean place for men to call home. Now approaching its 100th year—and listed on the National Register of Historic Places—the building houses 180 single-room occupancy units that offer more than shelter. While many people associate the YMCA with gyms and camps, the Central YMCA quietly serves as one of Wilmington’s longest-standing sources of affordable housing—providing a safe place to live, a lifeline, or even a fresh start for men navigating some of life’s toughest challenges.
Spanning generations, our residents include veterans, individuals recovering from illness or addiction, people living with disabilities, and those surviving on limited incomes. But they are also our neighbors—substitute teachers, in-home care providers, bus drivers, and mental health professionals. We house grandfathers, fathers, sons, brothers, and uncles. Some come seeking a second chance—and a roof over their head from which to build it.
This is more than a place to stay, it’s a community. Residents receive meals, case management, peer encouragement, clothing, and help accessing benefits. For many, it’s the only place they can truly call home. Each day brings moments of transformation—when someone reconnects with family, finds work, or begins to feel safe again.
One resident, RJ, recently shared, “I had never been inside this building before. I walked past it for years. I never came in. Maybe it was just sitting there, waiting for me to need it. But when I did, I excelled. And I keep rising.”
The Reality We Face:
- Over 100,000 Delawareans struggle with affording rent.
- Homelessness has increased by 58% since 2020.
- Many residents earn under $12,000 annually—less than 60% of the median income in New Castle County.
Continued investment in this property—and in the programming it provides—will allow us to modernize and sustain the Central YMCA Residence, furthering local and statewide efforts to address homelessness. This support ensures we can meet the growing demand for services that are both affordable and delivered with dignity.
Stable housing is more than four walls. It is healthcare. It is recovery. It is prevention. It is a place to reconnect—with community, with stability, and with purpose.
We thank our elected leaders for forming the Delaware Affordable Housing Task Force to confront this issue. The Task Force has thoughtfully identified nine key objectives for progress. At the YMCA, we are proud to align with Objective 9: optimizing and improving the capacity of existing programs and processes. Special thanks to State Representative Kendra Johnson and State Senator Russ Huxtable for their leadership on this important initiative.
This work—and the continued investment in housing—supports the Y’s three core promises: to ensure every youth and teen is on a pathway to success, to improve the health and well-being of every individual and family we serve, and to unite communities while inspiring service to others.
When we invest in people, we are not just strengthening individuals, we are building a more resilient, compassionate, and forward-thinking community for all. Unleashing potential – and unleashing opportunity for the future of Delaware.
Jarret Royster is the president and CEO of YMCA of Delaware.
