Delaware Opens Landing Point Youth Emergency Shelter
The state is converting a New Castle County cottage into temporary housing for youth who cannot be placed immediately.
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 shelter named Landing Point. The move follows a State Auditor report that found youth in need of emergency placement had stayed in state office buildings.
Why it matters
The state is responding to concerns about youth being kept in state offices when emergency beds or foster placements were unavailable. The auditor's report recommended formalized procedures for such circumstances.
A $6 million bond funds renovation of a Stockley campus building in Sussex County, adding 12 beds for youth with specialized needs. The source does not report how many youth have stayed in state offices or the duration of those stays.
The players
Alison McGonigal
Alison McGonigal is the acting secretary of the Department of Services for Children, Youth and their Families, overseeing state child welfare services.
Lydia York
Lydia York is Delaware's State Auditor, whose office released the report on youth placement shortages.
The details
Landing Point will provide temporary emergency shelter for youth for whom placement cannot be immediately found, and the state is hiring staff for the facility. Alison McGonigal, acting secretary of the Department of Services for Children, Youth and their Families, oversees the department's response.
Timeline
Early winter 2026-27: Landing Point becomes fully operational.
Late summer 2027: Stockley campus youth housing facility expected to be ready.
Child Care Context
The Landing Point shelter follows the State Auditor's recommendation that Delaware formalize procedures for youth awaiting emergency placement. The state's response adds temporary capacity while permanent Stockley campus housing is still under renovation.
Families and caseworkers in Delaware gain a dedicated emergency option for youth who cannot be placed immediately. The change means fewer youth should need to stay in state office buildings while placements are arranged.
The takeaway
Dedicated emergency shelter capacity is one way states can keep youth out of office buildings while placements are secured. Watch for the Landing Point opening and the Stockley campus timeline as the state adds beds.
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
Explore more on child care in Delaware for context on youth placement services.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Delaware Public Media.
