When a collegiate chapter has a home or space of their own, Bid Day often begins right out front, with excited new members snapping photos by giant wooden deltas and the chapter house in the background. To them it’s the place they might someday live, attend chapter meetings and, if they’re lucky, score a coveted parking spot. What they don’t realize yet is how that house will come to mean so much more. Over time, the building becomes more than bricks and mortar; the term “chapter house” transforms into something deeper. Some may call it sisterhood, but it’s really a feeling of calm, comfort and the quiet assurance that they belong in this space.
“Home” isn’t easy to define, but you know when you’re there.
Behind every welcoming front door, there’s a team working to make our Tri Delta houses feel like home. Tri Delta Housing is the arm of Tri Delta dedicated to caring for our spaces and the members who live in them. As a not-for-profit entity, Tri Delta Housing manages, operates and, in some cases, owns the homes where our members build friendships, hold meetings and make lifelong memories. Beyond property management, Tri Delta Housing also provides guidance, resources and training to the volunteers and officers who help keep our chapter homes running smoothly.
Maintaining a Tri Delta home takes a lot of work. For many decades Tri Delta homes were all owned, managed and operated by local house corporations (LHCs). In 1992, Tri Delta established a national house corporation to serve Tri Delta’s housing needs in a new way. For more decades it oversaw a relatively small number of homes. But in 2019, responding to growing housing needs and shifting industry trends, the National House Corporation officially became Tri Delta Housing, marking a major shift from simply owning homes to providing premier property management for our members.
Since 2019, 42 local house corporations have joined Tri Delta Housing.
Today, Tri Delta Housing supports two main areas providing high-quality housing for our members. First, it supports the 37 LHCs that serve as the dedicated team of local volunteers who manage the day-to-day operations of these chapter homes. For these groups, Tri Delta Housing offers support – overseeing volunteer structures, helping plan conference programs and funding attendance, supervising employees and developing resources.
The second focus of Tri Delta Housing is to provide an all-inclusive, turnkey experience by owning, operating and managing 87 homes and spaces through full-time professional staff. This includes an internal facility support team that handles daily maintenance, project completion and long-term improvement planning. Each Tri Delta Housing managed home also benefits from a dedicated team of property managers available 24/7 who support members and house directors, manage property budgets, and conduct regular site visits.
Even with the support from Tri Delta Housing, owning, operating and managing a Tri Delta home is becoming more and more demanding. Staying ahead of competitive trends, managing technology and renovating homes (some over 100 years old!) can be time-consuming and expensive. As our collegians’ housing needs continue to evolve, many LHCs have chosen to transition ownership and management responsibilities to Tri Delta Housing. During these transitions, dedicated Tri Delta LHC volunteers often shift their time and talents to new roles. Many continue to support their chapters as advisors, while others embrace opportunities to reconnect with Tri Delta through their own alumnae experience.
During the 2024-2025 academic year, six homes and spaces transitioned to Tri Delta Housing management guided by their own unique reasons—as unique as their homes. Today we’re taking a closer look at those locations and celebrating the new support available to them through Tri Delta Housing.
Delta Epsilon Chapter at Millikin University
Built in 1965, the Delta Epsilon home is 16,664 square feet and can accommodate up to 43 residents. It was expanded in 1998 and now has a large family room, kitchenette, study room, ADA entrance and bathroom. Delta Epsilon Chapter members describe their Tri Delta home as “a place where we can be ourselves.” The Delta Epsilon LHC completed their transition to TDH last Fall and is now receiving their first set of summer renovations including a refresh of the living room with new flooring and furnishings.
Theta Eta Chapter at the University of Wyoming
Tri Delta’s Theta Eta chapter is located in Laramie, Wyoming, and currently has a residential home that sleeps 48 women. The 1929-built, 18,152-square-foot home has hidden symbols throughout, starting with the new member pin on the exterior, tridents on the front door and a pansy carved above the fireplace. Notice the pine trees in the yard? No symbolic detail was left behind in the strategic design of this home. This summer, Tri Delta Housing is providing enhancements to the House Director’s suite that will bring more comfort and livability for that important role.
Omicron Chapter at Syracuse University
Tri Delta’s Omicron chapter house located in Syracuse, New York, is a 9,976-square-foot residential home, which accommodates 32 residents. Built in 1890, it became a Tri Delta home in 1922. The home’s interior includes many of its original historic features including four fireplaces. The home’s exterior was remodeled in 1939 with the large white columns you see today. While the third floor once held a ballroom, it has since been transformed into additional living space.
This summer, the chapter home is getting a major refresh of the first floor with new flooring, furniture, lighting and decor; a new TV room and new study room in previously little–used basement spaces; a redesigned meeting room in the former TV lounge; and a new serving area added to the dining room. These major updates are being completed in a way that is congruent and appropriate for this grand historic home. Omicron members will soon enjoy cozy spots to gather, study and relax together.
Beta Nu Chapter at Virginia Tech University
Tri Delta’s Beta Nu chapter home is owned and operated by Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. Before changing to management by Tri Delta Housing, Beta Nu House Corporation was guided by very dedicated alumnae, including Kathleen Parrott, Cornell. When Kathleen interviewed for her teaching position at the university, the dean had one request: The position was hers as long as she supported the Tri Delta chapter via service to their LHC. Kathy said “yes” to both opportunities and served the university and Tri Delta for 36 years.
The university-owned home is located in Blacksburg, Virginia, and sleeps 35 members. It has been part of the Greek Village called “Oak Lane Community” since it was established in 1983.
Belonging begins when there is space for participation. While the chapter holds its meetings in on-campus classrooms, the chapter space features a community space that Tri Delta Housing now manages. When responding to the need for new seating, Tri Delta Housing listened to the chapter and provided a larger sectional to create a more inclusive seating arrangement. After all, memories are made while being together!
Kappa Chapter at the University of Nebraska
Kappa Chapter became Tri Delta’s westernmost chapter when it was installed on Nov. 28, 1894. While Kappa alumnae have shared many beloved memories of this home, one of its unique features—in addition to the Stars and Crescent on the front of the exterior—is the wrought-iron fence that surrounds the house. This fence, in part a gift from General John J. Pershing, helped to make the chapter’s beautiful home a historic landmark in Lincoln, Nebraska. Built in 1923, the home measures 14,717 square feet and is home to 59 residents.
When residents return this fall, they will have updated residential rooms with new flooring, lighting paint and bedroom furniture. The first-floor study room has also been refurnished as a study and conference room. Additionally, the aforementioned historic fence is in the process of being professionally restored to its original glory and lovingly reinstalled. The Kappa home is a point of pride and is receiving the meticulous care and attention that she requires.
Omega Delta Chapter at Iowa State University
Tri Delta’s Omega Delta Chapter has called the house on Ash Avenue in Ames, Iowa, “home” for over 100 years. The Omega Delta house has had several major expansion projects, allowing 53 members to live there. This summer, the completion of a brick restoration project will refresh the exterior of the home.
“After learning about Tri Delta Housing, the Omega Delta House Corporation board felt a deep responsibility to secure the best long-term path to ensure the viability of Omega Delta Chapter. We were unanimous in the belief that moving forward with becoming a part of Tri Delta Housing was the right choice for Omega Delta.” LHC President Linda Petersen LaMair, Iowa State
Beta Alpha Chapter at the University of South Florida
In Tampa, FL, you will find a Greek Village that was constructed for Fraternities and Sororities in 2004. This university-owned space is where twenty-seven Beta Alpha chapter members reside and where Tri Delta maintains the common living and meeting spaces. As the most recent group to transition to Tri Delta Housing this year, the Beta Alpha House Corporation Board of Directors had this shared “Tri Delta Housing will be able to offer the chapter many more resources, support, consistency and an enhanced member experience (for chapter members).”
The stories held within our Tri Delta homes are the foundation of so many memories. Within these walls, members have laughed, built lifelong friendships, shared in Ritual and, for many, lived together under one roof. These homes and spaces have evolved across generations, outlasting some of our members’ lifetimes. Today, Tri Delta Housing helps carry that legacy forward. Whether supporting LHC volunteers or directly managing a chapter home or space, Tri Delta Housing leads with care and expertise creating safe, welcoming and competitive environments our members are proud to call home.
If you’d like to learn more about Tri Delta Housing, take a VIRTUAL TOUR of some of their homes or watch this VIDEO.
To speak with a staff member about Tri Delta Housing, email housing@trideltaeo.org.