Delaware Opens Emergency Shelter for Youth
Youth who lack an immediate placement will move from state offices into a dedicated shelter, Delaware officials say.
Updated on Oct. 31, 2026 in Child Care
Delaware's Division of Family Services is converting one of its Grace Cottages on the New Castle County campus into an emergency youth shelter named Landing Point. The move follows a State Auditor report that found youth needing emergency placement had stayed in state office buildings.
Why it matters
The state is responding to concerns about young people being kept in state offices when emergency beds or foster placements could not be found. For Delaware families and the youth system that serves them, the change signals a shift toward dedicated temporary shelter instead of improvised placements.
Landing Point will open in a converted Grace Cottage on the New Castle County campus, and the state is hiring staff for it. A $6 million bond will renovate a Stockley campus building in Sussex County to add 12 beds for youth with specialized needs.
The players
Division of Family Services
Delaware's state agency that oversees youth placement and family services, now converting a Grace Cottage into the Landing Point emergency shelter.
Lydia York
Delaware State Auditor whose report confirmed youth staying in state offices and recommended formal emergency placement procedures.
Alison McGonigal
Acting secretary of the Department of Services for Children, Youth and their Families, overseeing the state's youth placement response.
The details
Landing Point will provide temporary emergency shelter for youth for whom a placement cannot be immediately found. The State Auditor's report confirmed instances of youth staying in state office buildings and recommended that the state develop formalized procedures for these circumstances. The Stockley campus building will serve as temporary housing for youth with specialized needs once renovation is complete.
Timeline
Landing Point is expected to be fully operational in early winter 2026-27.
The Stockley campus youth housing facility is expected to be ready by late summer 2027.
The Home Front
The auditor's recommendation for formal emergency placement procedures marks a move away from ad hoc arrangements in state office buildings. Landing Point and the Stockley renovation represent Delaware's attempt to create dedicated temporary capacity for youth without a placement.
If you foster, adopt, or work with youth services in Delaware, check with the Division of Family Services about how emergency placements will be handled as Landing Point opens. Families with questions about placement or support can contact the department directly for current procedures.
The takeaway
Delaware is building dedicated emergency shelter capacity for youth, which reduces the need for placements in state offices. Keep the Division of Family Services contact information on file if your household is connected to youth services.
What happens next
Landing Point is expected to be fully operational in early winter 2026-27, and the Stockley campus facility is expected to be ready by late summer 2027.
Further reading
For more on how families navigate youth services, browse our Child Care coverage.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Delaware Public Media.
