Durham City Council approved a $4.5 million funding plan on May 11 to develop and preserve affordable housing units across the city, directing money to five community organizations.
The Housing & Neighborhood Services Department led the effort. Funding went to Housing for New Hope, Surber Development, Durham Bragtown Walk LLC, Durham Children's Initiative, and L'Arche North Carolina. Together, their projects are expected to produce or preserve 270 affordable units and deliver housing stabilization services to 135 households.
The plan covers more than construction. Case management services for low-income residents are also part of the package, addressing the gap between getting into a home and staying in one.
"Across Durham, these projects represent real progress, more homes and more opportunities for residents to find safe, fair, and affordable housing," said Sarah Viñas, director of the Housing & Neighborhood Services Department. "We're proud of the momentum this investment builds and look forward to continuing this work alongside our community partners, who make this progress possible."
The vote adds to a stretch of housing activity at City Hall. Council backed an 80-unit affordable housing plan at the old police headquarters site in April and launched a $1.75 million accessory dwelling unit pilot the same month. The $4.5 million plan is a separate, parallel push focused on scattered-site partnerships rather than a single development.
The five funded organizations are now positioned to move their projects forward.