Affordable
Housing
Woodlawn has provided affordable housing in Wilmington, Delaware for over 100 years. Our mission stems from the belief of our founder, William Bancroft, that everyone deserves a safe, comfortable place to call home. We carried this key element of our mission from the past to the present, and we are committed to bringing it into the future. That’s why we continue to develop affordable housing that enriches the community.
The East Side
Our History of Providing Quality Affordable Housing
In 1902, we recognized the need for housing and began developing one, two, and three-bedroom rental units in Wilmington between Union Street and the B&O Railroad, from 4th Street to 7th Street. We built twenty rows of houses over a 10-year period, providing housing for 390 families. Through the years, we added units that brought the number of families served to 473. This additional development extended the “Flats” to 9th Street.
These rental units not only provided homes with reasonable rent, but also brought true innovation to housing. Most housing construction at the time was for owner-occupied, single-family houses. Our focus on neighborhood-based rental housing with affordable rents was unusual—and a welcome development for the community. The homes featured desirable amenities such as modern utilities as well as front yards and backyards. We established a nearby repair shop to respond to residents’ maintenance needs and we created a five-acre park and playground along 4th and Ferris Streets for recreation.
This “Flats” neighborhood, brought to life by William Bancroft’s vision, was completed by 1941. Woodlawn has owned and managed the Flats since they were built. Our goal has been to create homes and communities that bring residents comfort and security.
Affordable Rental Housing Today
Over the years, we have owned, operated, maintained, and upgraded Woodlawn Trustees’ housing, and our properties remain popular and affordable. We offer houses and apartments on both the West and East Sides of the City of Wilmington. Our units are designed to provide comfort and exceptional value, and they are professionally managed and maintained by our staff. The units have one, two, or three bedrooms and vary in layout and size.
Our housing is conveniently located within minutes of city parks, medical services, bus lines, and recreation. Many are on tree-lined streets near neighborhood parks, most of which were carefully planned by our founder. With our continuous development of affordable housing, we see William Bancroft’s vision still taking shape today.