The federal government reduced funding to Delaware’s HIV prevention services by 55% since 2023.
That leaves the Delaware HIV Consortium with $0 in public funding going into 2026. And Consortium Executive Director Tyler Berl said Delaware saw a 30% rise in annual HIV diagnoses over the last few years.
“We also are very adamantly aware that if we are not resourcing our public health sector, then we will see a rise in HIV, and it's going to cost the state of Delaware and the federal government money on the back end,” Berl said.
There are about 4,200 people in Delaware living with HIV. And most of that population lives in New Castle County or the greater Wilmington area.
HIV is a preventable virus that can be controlled through daily treatment. And prevention efforts like education and safe sex supply distribution programs can keep new diagnoses low. The Consortium offers a variety of programs for Delawareans, including ones offering rental and prescription assistance.
The rental assistance program helps about 125 households per month. The Consortium also has emergency financial assistance for people who are hit with unexpected utilities or rental bills they can’t afford.
Every person diagnosed with HIV in the First State can expect a lifetime treatment cost of $550 thousand, according to Berl.
To lower the number of new diagnoses, Berl said state and federal lawmakers have to fund public health initiatives. Berl said the most effective way to keep numbers low is to do exactly what the Consortium already offers – provide financial assistance for housing and prescriptions.
“We know that the biggest driver of HIV health outcomes is access to safe and affordable housing,” Berl said. “Generally, we find that if people do not have a safe place to call home, [...] they can't pay attention to their health care or [take] their prescriptions that keep their HIV at bay or healthy.”
The organization started its housing support program in 1998. Average payments went from about $650 three years ago to $800 per client per month. And Berl said he expects that number will continue to grow.
As federal leaders continue avoiding public health initiatives aimed at mitigating HIV, Berl said new diagnoses will continue to happen. And while that happens, Consortium leadership are looking for new, sustainable funding sources to keep serving Delawareans.
“In 2024, DHC faced a sharp reduction in state prevention funding but chose stability over retreat — protecting essential staff and preserving community services,” the Consortium’s 2024 report said. “That experience reinforced a lasting lesson: adaptability is not about doing more with less, but doing what matters most with what we have.”
Consortium leadership has not yet identified new funding and service models. That’s resulted in staffing reductions include several prevention specialists and reductions in community services.
Consortium staff are still here, in office and in the community, to help people statewide.
