Future of Georgetown pallet village jeopardized amid funding woes

Georgetown’s transitional housing pallet village is facing a funding shortfall, jeopardizing the project that houses 40 people experiencing homelessness in Sussex County. The village’s nonprofit operator, The Springboard Collaborative, was hoping to receive a $1.5 million grant this year from the Longwood Foundation, the Wilmington-based charitable grantmaking foundation linked to the du Pont family. It didn’t receive that funding, however, and is now struggling to find funders for its operational expenses. The 40-cabin community, known as Springboard Village, imposed broad layoffs and cut staff costs by 28% in recent weeks. 

Following staff layoffs, the organization is training residents to become paid “community stewards,” who upkeep the village and provide security. Springboard Collaborative officials maintained that the village will not be closing, but have notified residents of the issue and drafted a contingency transition plan if the closure comes to be.  

“That’s the mountain we’re climbing,” Malone said. “It’s tough, but we’re tough people.”

Springboard is hoping to secure state support by late August, Malone added.