McDougald Terrace Relocation Update 1/7 - 1/11

UPDATE 01-11-2020 3:30 pm

Today, we held our community meeting, giving updates to residents, community members and community leaders on what we have completed this week and what is to come. As a reminder to relocated residents - you are not alone. We are here to help and we have wonderful community partners providing necessary services.

Thank you to all of the wonderful organizations that showed up today. We want to make sure there services are readily available to you.

• If you are pregnant, a nursing mother, if you are in need of birth support, transportation, or would like to take part in Grocers on Wheels, you can reach out to maame or contact Maya Jackson at 919.627.8679.
• If you need assistance from Durham County Social Services, or need to submit your January 2020 documents, please call 919.560.8798.
• Residents in need of mental health care or substance abuse crisis, you can call the 24-hour Alliance Health line at 800.510.9132 or visit them online at AllianceHealthPlan.org.
• If residents have a 4-year-old or a soon to be 4 year old you can apply them for Pre-K now at durhamprek.org. For additional early education programs for children ages 0-5 visit childcareservices.org/findcare.

If a resident was unable to attend the meeting today and was unable to obtain your food stipend, we will contact you and provide you with your stipend.

Tomorrow, TMAC will provide transportation to relocated residents for a Walmart trip. Please click here for information on route schedules.

As a reminder to community members interested in donating, please give to either The Good Neighbor Fund or the Durham One Fund. We are also asking that folks donate supplies like non-perishable food and essential items like paper plates, plastic utensils, baby food and baby formula, as well as Tupperware products. Donations should be delivered to the Salvation Army at 909 Liberty Street anytime Monday-Friday from 8am-4pm.  

UPDATE 01-10-2020 - 4:30pm

Our partners at the Salvation Army are taking the lead in gathering and distributing donations, they are staying open until 6pm today to accept donations at their office at 909 Liberty Street. They will reconvene tomorrow from 2-6pm at 51B Ridgeway Ave., at McDougald Terrace. Starting again on Monday, lasting through Friday from 8am to 4pm, daily, you can drop off donations at the Salvation Army at 909 Liberty Street. We ask that you do not drop off donations directly to the hotels.

If there is interest in donating, please consider supplying things like non-perishable food and essential items like paper plates, plastic utensils, as well as hygiene products, baby food and baby formula, and Tupperware products so residents can store food. Please also consider giving to the GoFundMe - The Good Neighbor Fund - which is supported by Ashley Canady, the resident council president. You may also give to the United Way of the Greater Triangle's Durham One Fund.

Yesterday, Durham Housing Authority (DHA) oversaw the inspection of 58 unoccupied units. 34 of these units reported elevated levels of CO. We have completed inspections of all units that were still occupied. We have approximately 127 unoccupied units left to inspect. We have approximately 270 households relocated across 12 hotels in Durham County. 55 residents remain at the McDougald Terrace property.

As noted yesterday, given the timeline for completing the inspections of the remaining units and making necessary updates and repairs, we are asking that relocated residents remain relocated for at least another week.

We would like to remind all residents that there will be a community meeting tomorrow, Saturday, January 11, at 11:00 am ET at Burton Elementary School in Durham. The purpose of this meeting is to meet with McDougald Terrace residents, provide updates and answer questions. We also plan to distribute per diem food cards to residents for use during the following week. Please have identification with you to ensure secure distribution. Chick-fil-A will provide food on-site for residents.

Other groups joining us on Saturday include the Alliance Behavioral Health, DSS, Durham Public Health, Durham Parks & Rec., and the Bookmobile.

The city manager's office is coordinating transportation to and from the meeting on Saturday starting at 9:30am.

We understand this is a very difficult time and we appreciate your patience.

UPDATE 01-09-2020 - 4:00pm

As of this afternoon, Durham Housing Authority (DHA) has overseen the inspection of all occupied units, where residents are currently still living. 22 of the 70 final occupied units were identified for having elevated CO levels.

Remaining residents should know that if we do find elevated levels of carbon monoxide or other gases from these appliances, it will be mandatory that residents evacuate their apartments.

We would also like to reiterate that there will be a community meeting this Saturday at Burton Elementary School in Durham at 11:00 AM. This meeting will update residents on our progress and answer questions. DHA will provide transportation for relocated residents.

DHA would like to take the opportunity to thank those individuals and organizations who have provided donations, as well as TMAC Transportation for providing residents with transportation assistance. We are truly grateful for your contributions.

We are continuing to meet with local, state and federal officials, including officials at HUD to secure any additional funding and resources that we can to ensure that residents of McDougald Terrace are safe in their homes.

Temporarily Relocated McDougald Terrace Residents Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. How can I receive important updates from DHA while I am temporarily relocated?
   • PLEASE SIGN UP FOR ALERT MCDOUGALD: To opt in, text "MCDOUGALD" to the number 888777
   • After you opt-in, you will receive an automatic reply that says: "Welcome to MCDOUGALD Info at nixle.com. Reply HELP for help and STOP to cancel. Message and data rates may apply."
   • You will then receive a message that says: "You have signed up to receive resident information related to the McDougald Terrace Relocation efforts." You can also check for updates on DHA's website DurhamHousingAuthority.org, the Durham Housing Authority Facebook page or on Twitter at @dhacomm.
2. Why have I been temporarily relocated?
   • Recently there have been several residents treated for elevated Carbon Monoxide (CO) levels in the McDougald Terrace community. Our immediate priority is the safety of all McDougald residents, which is why we implemented a voluntary evacuation.
   • You have been temporarily relocated while DHA contracts independent specialists to test the Air Quality in your home. We sincerely apologize for this inconvenience, but want you to know that your safety comes first.
3. How long will I be here?
   • DHA has arranged these temporary lodging accommodations until Saturday, January 11, 2020; however, DHA may extend your accommodations if necessary. DHA will provide updates regarding the status of your unit by Friday, January 10, 2020. DHA will contact you directly if it determines that you can return sooner.
4. Can I go back to my apartment?
   • You are free to return to your unit at McDougald Terrace if you need to get anything from your home - it is still your home and this evacuation is voluntary. If you find anything in your home that needs maintenance attention, please contact the McDougald Property management team at 919.596..1639. DHA does not want you to expose yourself to any potential risk and specifically recommends that no one sleep in any unit that has been evacuated voluntarily until we are able to determine it is safe.
5. How do I get transportation?
   • Transportation back to McDougald Terrace to pick up additional items will be available on Wednesday, January 8, 2020 and Friday, January 10, 2020. On those days a shuttle will pick up from each hotel at 7:45 a.m. and transport residents to McDougald Terrace. Transported residents will be picked up from McDougald Terrace's Management Office promptly at 12:00 p.m. and transported back to their designated hotels.
   • For any other transportation needs, please contact TMAC Transportation, DHA's Transportation vendor at 919.408.7796 between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., to arrange transportation. They will verify that you are a relocated McDougald Terrace resident, and coordinate pick-up and drop-off services for you or a household member on your lease at no expense to you. Representatives are available after 5:00 p.m. for urgent transportation issues only. If you require emergency medical care, please call 911.
   • If you require a reasonable accommodation such as coordinating transportation for a caregiver; transportation to your home, to your pharmacy, to your doctor, or to get needed supplies please be sure to contact the transportation vendor listed above, or call 919.683.8596.
6. How will my children get to school?
   • DHA coordinated with the Durham Public School (DPS) system to provide school bus transportation to and from school at your hotel. Please visit DHA's website, www.Durhamhousingauthority.org to view the school bus schedule provided by DPS. DPS may update this schedule as the week goes on, so please pay attention to any changes.
   • If your child's school is not on the DPS schedule, please contact TMAC Transportation at 919.408.7796, DHA's Transportation vendor, to arrange transportation. They will verify that you are a relocated McDougald Terrace resident, and coordinate pick-up and drop-off services for you or a household member at no expense to you.
7. I am disabled and require accessibility features in my room or another form of an adjustment or change to meet my needs; who do I contact?
   • If you have a reasonable accommodation and/or modification in place with DHA, or you need a reasonable accommodation and/or modification now at your hotel, please contact DHA at 919.596.1639 so that we can assist you.
8. What resources will DHA provide while I am temporarily relocated?
   • DHA will provide stipends to families to offset the cost of meals and incidental expenses. The stipends distributed on January 7, 2020 is intended to cover these expenses from Monday, January 6, 2020 through Saturday, January 11, 2020. If DHA has to extend your stay for any reason, you will be provided with additional stipends as needed.
   • If you have a hotel room that is equipped with a kitchenette, DHA strongly encourages you to take your groceries in order to prepare meals. As a reminder, you may return to your apartment to gather belongings, including food.
   • DHA will also provide transportation services while you are in the hotel. Please see the response to Question #5 for more information.
9. Will DHA pay my hotel for expenses incurred other than the cost of the room?
   • NO. As stated in your Relocation Agreement, DHA will only cover the cost of your hotel room. DHA will not be responsible for charges like room service, movie rentals, damages, and etc.
10. I am having a problem with my hotel, who do I contact?
    • We ask that you first contact hotel representatives for assistance. If the issue is not resolved, please contact DHA at 919.596.1639.
    • DHA can't change the hotel's rules. As a hotel guest, you must follow the hotel's rules in order to stay in the hotel. If you are asked to leave the hotel for violating the hotel's rules you will have to provide your own temporary lodging accommodations.
    • REMINDER: As stated in your Relocation Agreement all provisions of your lease remain in force and effect, including but not limited to the Resident and Household members obligations. You are responsible for the conduct of all of your household members, and guests.
11. What is DHA doing to ensure that my home is safe to return to?
    • DHA will have independent professionals to test your home for elevated Carbon Monoxide (CO) levels, natural gas leaks, and mold. DHA will also check your stove, and furnace to ensure they are operating properly.
    • If the independent professionals determine that repairs are needed to return your home's air quality to a safe level, DHA will ensure those repairs are made immediately. After the independent professional has determined the air quality is safe, DHA will notify your family it is safe to return home and arrange for your transportation if needed.
12. What is DHA going to do about all other necessary repairs to my unit?
    • DHA will first ensure that the air quality of your home is safe so you can return home.
    • DHA is committed to addressing all maintenance issues at the McDougald Terrace development. We are working on a complete maintenance strategy to resolve all outstanding maintenance issues and needs.
13. What are the Next Steps?
    • As we work to regain your trust and improve our service we will hold weekly meetings to report out on outstanding McDougald Terrace maintenance requests and hear any concerns you may have. The first meeting will be held Saturday, January 11, 2020 at 11:00 A.M. at Burton Magnet Elementary School located at 1500 Mathison Street, Durham, NC 27701.
    • DHA will arrange for transportation to these meetings for those that need it if they choose to attend.
14. Who do I contact with additional questions?
    • Please call 919.596.1639 between the hours of 8:30 A.M. to 5:00 P.M., Monday through Friday with any questions that you may have.
    • These updates are subject to change. Please stay tuned to our website, DurhamHousingAuthority.org, social media channels, or Alert McDougald for more updates.

UPDATE 01-08-2020 4:00 PM Durham Housing Authority (DHA) has overseen the inspection of 70 occupied units, where residents are currently still living, 28 of these units were identified for replacement of either the heater or the stove.

We have been continuing to inspect the remaining units with residents still in them, and we expect to complete inspection of all occupied units by the end of the day. Following completion, we will know how long we can expect the rest of the inspections to take and should know more by tomorrow.

As of this morning, there were 225 hotel rooms across Durham County being occupied by close to 200 households. At this time, I'd like to take a moment to thank the staff of each hotel that is graciously housing these residents at this time. Their hard work and service is greatly recognized by Durham Housing Authority and the leaders of this community, so we thank them.

DHA would like to reiterate that this is a voluntary evacuation. Those who have been relocated are allowed to return to their property and get their belongings. We ask that if you decide to stay at the property please alert the McDougald Terrace staff.

Please note that there will be another meeting this Saturday at Burton Elementary School at 11:00 am. The top priority of this meeting is to update residents on our progress, therefore we ask that seating for these residents take priority over nonresidents. Transportation to and from the meeting will be provided to those residents who are currently staying at hotels, and we will follow up with more information on these logistics.

DHA would also like to take a moment to thank Leonardo Williams, owner of Zweli's Kitchen & Catering, who has distributed food to our community members. We are very thankful for your help during this time.

There will be another update tomorrow, and the time and location will be shared through another media advisory. In the meantime, please direct all media inquiries to Carl Newman. 

UPDATE 01-07-2020 6:20 PM Residents needing assistance with transportation may call TMAC Transportation. Service is paid for by DHA.