Viewpoint Central Y offers lifeline for men in need of housing

At the YMCA of Delaware, we witness what many only read in the headlines: thegrowing 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, serving as one of the city’s longest-standing sources of affordable housing. Now, as the property and the broader YMCA organization approaches 100 years (NationalRegister of Historic Places), many people primarily associate the YMCA with gyms and camps. But what often goes unnoticed is that the Central YMCA is also home to 180 single-room occupancy units—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 navigating the road to recovery from illness or addiction, people living with physical or intellectual disabilities, and those surviving on a limited income from a monthly Social Security check. These individuals are also our neighbors, substitute teachers, in-home care providers, bus drivers, mental health professionals, and more. TheCentral YMCA is a special place that is home to grandfathers, fathers, sons, brothers, and uncles. Some come for 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. Here, individuals find not just shelter, but critical supports: nourishing meals, compassionate case management, peer encouragement, clothing, help accessing benefits, and above all, a renewed sense of purpose. For many, it’s the only place they can truly call home. Each day brings inspiring moments of transformation—when someone stabilizes, reconnects with family, finds a job, or simply begins to feel safe again.

 One resident, “RJ,” recently said, “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 thechallenge of affording rental payments. 

• 1,500 adults and families are experiencing a 58% increase in homelessness since 2020.

• Many of our residents earn under $12,000 per year—less than 60% of the median income in New Castle County.

Continued investment in this property—and in the impactful programming it provides—will allow us to modernize and sustain the Central YMCA Residence furthering the city, county, and state agendas to address the homelessness crisis. This support ensures we can continue meeting the growing demand for essential daily amenities that are both affordable and provided with dignity.

Stable housing is more than our four walls. It is healthcare. It is recovery. It isprevention. It is a place to be a part of the community and be a part of a family.

Realizing these critical needs, our elected leaders have designed solutions through the formation of the Delaware Affordable Housing Task Force. This group’s work has thoughtfully identified nine key objectives to address our state’s housing crisis. At the YMCA of Delaware, we are proud to align with “Objective 9:” optimizing and improving the capacity of existing programs and processes. Specia lthanks to State Representative Kendra Johnson and State Senator Russ Huxtable as well as their colleagues, for leading this important effort on behalf of all Delawareans.

 This work—and the continued investment in safe, stable housing—directly supports theY’s 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.