Meet The Surprising Duo That Turned Eyesore Into Affordable Housing in Wilmington.
This father-daughter team is making a huge difference in the community of Wilmington.
Since they started Southbridge Community Services Inc, Marva Hammond and her father Charley Falletta have been helping to house Wilmington’s homeless.
Hammond is a full time employee at the Delaware State Housing Authority. As the DEHAP Operations Manager and a Housing Counselor for over 15 years, Hammond has a passion for affordable housing opportunities for everyone.
She participated in Cinnaire’s Jumpstart Wilmington program where she gained valuable resources that were an integral part of this project.
Cinnaire launched the Jumpstart Wilmington program in 2020 to help residents of Wilmington, Delaware, become developers of their own neighborhoods through quality, community-focused real estate development training and financing options.
Hammond and Falletta are getting ready to move into phase two of their project. They plan to build more apartments in the building and are in preliminary talks with Del-One Federal Credit Union to establish a bank branch in the building. Their hope is to not only serve the community but help employ local residents.
In addition, the First State Community Action Agencies may be getting involved.
The duo transformed the eyesore at 518 S. Heald St into affordable housing for area homeless.
Hammond says “My dad funded this project with his own money to do something about the shortage of safe and affordable housing for Delaware residents, specifically vulnerable populations of seniors exiting the New Castle County Hope Center.”
Affordable housing is hard to come by in Wilmington. This surprising duo is doing amazing things for the community.
Not only is Charley Falletta passionate about helping the homeless population, he also cares very much about the environment. So much so, that he founded an amazing non-profit called Eco Plastic Products.
They are having an earth day celebration this Saturday.
