During the 1930s, Woodlawn began to take an interest in buying, renovating, and renting houses on the East Side of Wilmington.
William Bancroft’s wife, Emma, had been a stockholder in the Citizens Housing Corporation (CHC), a group focused on improving housing conditions. Upon Emma’s death, Woodlawn received her interest in CHC and by 1960 held full ownership in the corporation. Over the years, Woodlawn has continued to add to its rental housing on the East side, bringing the total number of units to 120. The properties are located between 7th and 14th Streets and from French Street down to Church Street where Old Swedes Church is located.