Tharros Tent Village recently wrapped up its season serving those experiencing homelessness in the Lewes area.
The tent village reopened again this year after a delayed start, welcoming just under 30 total people over the course of this year's warm weather season.
Tharros is a temporary tent city for working people experiencing homelessness that was initially set up along Route 1 in the fall of 2024.
The tent village recently closed its campsite along Route 1 near Lewes for the cold weather season with its residents shifting to Code Purple indoor shelter locations.
Executive director, Mike Agnew, says this season was a great success, noting some specific upgrades and changes planned for next year.
“We used recreational tents last season, they didn’t prove to be viable for five months. Next season we’ll open in March and continue until November so we need more of a FEMA quality, military grade tents.” he told DPM.
Agnew notes some onsite amenities, like running water, were made available to residents this year, but others like permanent showers or laundry facilities weren’t.He says those things are long term goals.
Agnew says a new service added this year was well worth the investment.
“We do have a bus, we transport our guests as best we can to and from their volunteer assignments or their employment, but, we do have some costs involved. There’s certainly a cost involved in running our bus, but we think the benefits there.” he said.
That cost, Agnew says, is around 2,000 a month- but running their own transport allows residents to visit healthcare services and mental health treatments without taxing city EMS.
Tharros Tent Village is scheduled to open again in March 2026.
