Editor’s Note: The National Coalition for the Homeless is republishing this statement in support of the advocacy efforts led by the HOMES Campaign and its coalition partners. We encourage readers to visit the HOMES Campaign website to learn more about their work and ongoing efforts to advance housing justice in Delaware.
Wilmington, DE – Advocates will be peacefully protesting at Christina Park on Monday June 15, 2026 from 6:00-8:00 PM, following Mayor Carney’s unyielding assertion to remove unhoused individuals from Christina Park without an established long-term plan. This event is organized by Tide Shift Justice Project, the Episcopal Church of Saints Andrew and Matthew, ACLU of Delaware, HOMES Campaign, Working Families Power, Food Not Bombs Wilmington, Democratic Socialists of Delaware and in collaboration with park residents.
The rally, Not On My Watch, is a peaceful demonstration calling for a long-term plan for people experiencing homelessness at Christina park and other unhoused residents across the City of Wilmington. The efforts espoused by the Mayor and his administration are not sufficient to meet the current and long-term needs of Christina Park residents. The plan for a Pallet Village is not yet established and will not be by the June 15th eviction deadline. The development of a day center will not include any shelter beds, despite there being a shortage in the city. Many Christina Park residents have accepted short-term housing placements that will result in a revolving door that simply delays the individual and/or family’s next homelessness episode.
Loss of housing is a year round occurrence that requires sustainable long-term solutions to adequately address, and ultimately prevent homelessness. The resolution passed by Wilmington City Council on June 4, 2026 outlines the long-term infrastructure needed to adequately connect individuals and families to housing. As noted in the resolution, advocates are asking for:
- Halt the forced removal of residents from Christina Park on June 15, 2026;
- Provide adequate and recurring funding to support direct service contracts with qualified nonprofit and community-based organizations that provide street outreach, emergency housing navigation, mental health and substance use support services, case management, transitional and permanent supportive housing assistance, and employment and stabilization services; and
- Create a senior level Homelessness Response Coordinator position within the Office of the Mayor.
Many advocates and service providers are also simply asking for transparency. Earlier this afternoon, Mayor Carney and Wilmington Housing Authority executive director Ray Fitzgerald held a closed-door press conference about Christina Park and homelessness in Wilmington. When service providers and advocates tried to attend they were turned away at the door.
“There are four days left before they close Christina Park, and residents want to hear answers. Because they closed today’s press conference to the public, we are unable to hear answers about where people are being placed, how long they will be able to stay in each placement, and program restrictions that may apply at placements. It’s disappointing because we’re supposed to be a democratic society, and the actions of Mayor Carney were undemocratic.” Shyanne Miller, Progressive Governance Director of Delaware Working Families Power said.
“All this week, residents at the park were being told different things on a daily or even hourly basis from service providers about what placements are available, how long motel vouchers are for, or if there even are housing or motel options. Many of us hoped today’s press conference would provide transparency. However, not only have official statements from the City about what’s being offered at Christina Park differed wildly from what’s actually being offered on the ground there, but now the City isn’t even transparently communicating what it is actually offering,” said Ann Aviles, co-coordinator for the HOMES Campaign.
Confusion and disorganization around what’s being offered to residents at Christina Park or other people experiencing housing insecurity in the city has abounded the last few weeks. But one example– in May when the City of Wilmington sent an “eviction notice” to residents at Christina Park, it noted that campers must remove all their personal belongings by June 15 but would have storage available until June 25 at 600 East 4th Street. Yesterday, Wilmington’s Facebook account posted a graphic that suggested personal items could be stored for up to 90 days. Outside the Facebook post, the change in policy around personal item storage appears to have not been communicated to Wilmington’s unhoused community.
We invite community members to come participate in the rally on Monday and show their support and solidarity for our unhoused neighbors.
Contact: Meryem Dede 513-378-9191
Email: mdede@tideshiftjustice.org
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