The Planning & Community Development department administers a number of community development programs made possible through federal grants. Funding amounts and program types can vary from year to year.

Fair Housing

Fair housing is a person’s right to choose where to live without unlawful discrimination. The brochures below provide basic information on the rights and responsibilities of homeowners, tenants, and landlords in regard to the sale, rental, or financing of housing.

• Fair Housing Basics
• Fair Housing Advertising Guidelines
• Home Sales Discrimination
• Ohio Tenant-Landlord Law
• Ohio Civil Rights Commission Fair Housing Rights & Responsibilities

To point you in the right direction, contact Dianne Guenther, Development Planner in Planning and Community Development, at (740) 203-1600 or via email at planning@delawareohio.net.

An Invitation to Community Partners - City of Delaware/Delaware County Fair Housing Survey

Dear Community Partners: We are requesting your participation please in the joint City of Delaware and Delaware County Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing study. Complete the short, anonymous Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing Survey at your earliest convenience through Monday, June 24, 2024.

The Survey is available at the following link:   https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/DRJYV8M

OR, via this QR Code:

Fair housing is a person’s right to choose where to live without unlawful discrimination. Your survey responses will help the City of Delaware and Delaware County identify local impediments to fair housing choice. The Ohio Department of Development, the funding source of the federal HUD CDBG and HOME funding for housing needs received by our community, requires the City and County update this study every five years.  

Help make a difference in our community ~ more information regarding the survey is available through the link or QR Code. Check out the links below for brochures that provide basic information on the rights and responsibilities of homeowners, tenants, and landlords in regard to the sale, rental, or financing of housing. 

Thank you for your time and assistance!

Downtown Facade Grant Improvement Program

The goal of the Downtown Facade Improvement Program is to help business owners invest in their properties, while improving the appearance and historic character of Downtown Delaware. Up to a 50-percent matching grant is available to Target Area business or building owners who construct eligible improvements to the facades of their buildings. The City will match dollar-for-dollar an owner’s investment in the appearance of their building’s storefront facade up to a maximum amount of $20,000.

What properties are eligible?
All commercially operated buildings within the designated downtown Target Area are eligible to apply to the Facade Improvement Program – including mixed use commercial and residential structures.

What improvements are eligible?
Facade improvements, lighting, siding, painting, fascia, windows, fire escapes, brick replacement/tuck pointing/stucco and masonry work, parapets and roofing, doors, other visible exterior building components.

What improvements are ineligible?
The Facade Improvement Program will not provide funds for interior improvements, operating funds, salaries, activities related to specific downtown promotional events, architectural design assistance, refinancing of existing debt, inventory costs, permit fees, legal fees, plumbing repair or improvements, HVAC repair or improvements, parking lot resurfacing, sidewalk improvements, awnings or signage.

How do I apply?
Only completed applications which include all required submittal documents and information will be accepted by the City of Delaware Planning and Community Development Department, City Hall Annex, 1 South Sandusky Street, Delaware 43015. Email for more details.

Timeline for Approval
Applications are accepted on a first-come-first-served basis as long as funds are available for the calendar year. This is a federally funded program. Most improvement applications can be processed within 90 days to allow construction to start quickly.