Delaware Conducts Second Reporting Pilot Program in the Nation

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | Tuesday, October 28, 2025

Media Contact(s):

Delaware State Housing Authority: Ashley Dawson, [email protected]

The Office of Lt. Governor Kyle Evans Gay: Alexis Wrease, [email protected]

Delaware Conducts Second Reporting Pilot Program in the Nation

Dover - State leaders came together on Tuesday morning to announce the results of a statewide rent reporting pilot program - making Delaware the second state in the nation to conduct such a program.

Access to crucial financial products, like loans, credit cards, and mortgages at lower interest rates, are largely dependent on one's credit score. While rent payments are often the largest monthly expense for a household, most rent payments are not typically reported to credit bureaus. With rent reporting, renters have the opportunity to build credit by having their rent payments incorporated in their scores.

"Rent reporting gives hardworking Delawareans credit for the payments they're already making and opens doors to opportunity-whether that's buying a car, securing a mortgage, or achieving financial stability," Governor Matt Meyer said. "I'm proud of the partnership that made this pilot possible and of the real, measurable progress it represents for families across our state, helping them build better lives."

Focused on breaking down financial barriers for Delawareans, particularly for low-income tenants, then-Senator Kyle Evans Gay proposed a statewide rent reporting pilot program to the Delaware State Housing Authority (DSHA). She also helped DSHA Housing secure $200,000 from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) to administer the program.

"I will always push for innovative and effective policies that can help Delawareans succeed. said Lt. Governor Kyle Evans Gay. "As the results of the pilot program show, we can create opportunities for our neighbors when we work together. I'm grateful to have partnered with DSHA to make this program a reality and look forward to working with our partners to ensure this report will inform our decisions going forward."

Delaware's statewide rent reporting pilot program offered 12 months of free rent and utility reporting. The program provided access to monthly credit scores, credit alerts, the option for participants to report up to 24 months of previous rent and utility payments, and more. The program had 225 Delawareans under the following categories participate:

• Receive housing assistance (i.e., a housing voucher or public housing unit) from one of the state's five public housing authorities (PHAs); OR

• Have a household at or below 250% of the federal poverty guidelines at the time of application

"We are excited by the potential demonstrated in our rent reporting pilot program and we hope that it encourages more individuals to participate in on-time payment tracking programs," said DSHA Director Matthew Heckles. "We need a variety of tools in our toolbox to help solve the affordable housing crisis in Delaware. Helping renters build credit is one of those tools. Thank you to Lt. Governor Kyle Evans Gay for her leadership on this issue and for our partners who helped me make it happen."

DSHA conducted the program in partnership with Self Financial (Self) and the nonprofit NeighborGood Partners. Self offered one of their core products​, ​​Rent and ​Bills reporting​,​​ which ​links​ with a participant's bank accounts ​to detect when rent and utility payments were withdrawn​ and reports the on-time payments to the credit bureaus​.

"​​By making it easier for people to get credit for the payments they're already making, this program can help residents build a stronger financial path forward," said Kristian Lund, SVP of Strategy and Market Innovation at Self Financial. "We're proud to work with the state to make credit building simpler, accessible, and more impactful for everyday people."​​

Program participants were also encouraged, but not required, to take advantage of free financial coaching through referrals from NeighborGood Partners.

"We at NeighborGood Partners were pleased to be a part of the Rent Reporting pilot, which demonstrated an economical way for renters to increase their credit score," said Karen Speakman, Executive Director of NeighborGood Partners. "Reporting one's rent payments to the credit bureaus makes a lot of practical sense and when combined with financial education, it's a terrific combination for renters who want to improve their financial situation."

The First State is the second state, following Colorado, to complete a rent reporting pilot program. Like Colorado's, Delaware's rent reporting pilot program report revealed promising outcomes:

• Average credit score for participants increased by +9 points.

• 14% of participants moved from a subprime to prime lending category, which is important for being able to qualify for loans and other types of credit.

• 24% of participants chose to continue reporting rent for free after receiving their 12 months of program benefits.

• 9% of participants chose to continue utility reporting at a cost of $6.95/month after receiving 12 months of program benefits .

• Several participants went on to purchase their own homes.

For questions about the pilot program's structure and results, contact Ashley Dawson from the Delaware State Housing Authority at [email protected].

For questions for Lt. Governor Kyle Evans Gay, contact Alexis Wrease at [email protected].

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