When Delaware’s New Castle County transformed a shuttered hotel into the Hope Center, it reimagined what emergency shelter could be, pairing housing with healthcare, education, and support services.
When COVID-19 threatened Delaware’s most vulnerable residents, New Castle County saw an opportunity in crisis. With CARES Act funds and inspiration from California’s Project Roomkey, the county purchased the Sheraton Wilmington South hotel and launched the Hope Center in December 2020. Initially intended as temporary housing, the center has since evolved into a dynamic, wraparound care model. In just four years, the 192,000-square-foot facility has sheltered over 4,300 individuals, more than half of them children. With 185 rooms and medical infrastructure on-site, it now operates as more than an emergency shelter. Clients access mental health services, medical care, case management, and even after-school programming—all under one roof.
The center is unique in Delaware for accommodating large families and accepting clients with pets. It has partnered with charter schools, the state’s Division of Family Services, ChristianaCare (the state’s first medical respite program), and Faithful Friends Animal Society, which provides free pet care. As the public health emergency has evolved, so too has the facility’s mission. It now includes permanent supportive housing, with floors dedicated to chronically homeless individuals and veterans. A recent grant application could fund not only 90-day stays but also two years of rental support and case management to help families stay housed long-term.
Despite its impact, the center faces sustainability challenges. Owned by the county but not county-funded, it operates on a patchwork of state, federal, nonprofit, and philanthropic dollars. While agencies cover stays at $50 per night, the actual cost is closer to $80. Still, the center is proving cost-effective: one hospital night costs over $2,200, compared to $50 at the Hope Center.
For local governments, the Hope Center offers a replicable lesson: holistic, housing-first approaches can address homelessness, improve health outcomes, and build stronger community partnerships.
