DDNP Advances & Increases Affordable Housing Opportunities

Durham, N.C. (December 18, 2023) The Durham Housing Authority (DHA) and its development partner, Laurel Street Residential are pleased to announce significant progress in the redevelopment at Main and Liberty Streets. This marks DHA's fourth affordable housing development funded in part by the City's Forever Home Durham affordable housing program. Demolition of 26 existing public housing units along Commerce Street will be completed in December, with construction of the new buildings scheduled to begin in early 2024. The Commerce Street Apartments is the first development supported by the $40 million Choice Neighborhoods Initiative Grant from the U.S. Housing and Urban Development awarded to DHA and the City in September 2022. The first phase, Elizabeth Street Apartments, is currently under construction with a completion date of December 2024, but this portion is not part of Choice Neighborhoods grant. "It's encouraging to see our Downtown Neighborhood Plan progress daily as the demand for affordable housing continues to increase in Durham and across the country." said DHA's CEO, Anthony Scott.

Commerce Street Apartments will offer 172 mixed-income apartment homes in two four-story buildings. 88 of the units will be reserved for seniors 62 or older, while 84 will be available to individuals and families of all ages. 71 of the apartments will be public housing replacement units, while another 58 will serve households with incomes below 60% of Area Median Income. The remainder of the units will be market-rate.

About Durham Housing Authority
The Durham Housing Authority is the largest provider of affordable housing in Durham, North Carolina. DHA has developed, owned, managed and contributed housing to diverse communities of choice since 1949. To learn more about Durham Housing Authority, please click here.

About DDNP
DDNP formulates a plan for redevelopment that better integrates public housing residents into the rest of the growing downtown population; preserves all existing affordable units; builds additional affordable housing and unsubsidized housing in a mixed income and mixed-use community to provide a range of housing options; leverages public land and investments; and guarantees that existing families living at DHA sites have priority for new units and a right to return. To learn more about DDNP, please click here.

About Durham Choice
Durham Choice is a partnership between the Durham Housing Authority (DHA) and the City of Durham to expand affordable housing opportunities in Durham and ensure that low-income residents can live in high quality housing in great neighborhoods. The focus of Durham Choice is on the redevelopment of two aging public housing properties in downtown Durham, 519 E. Main and Liberty Street Apartments. The program is supported by a $40 million Choice Neighborhoods Implementation grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. To learn more about Durham Choice, please click here.

Media Contact:
Aalayah Sanders (Communications Manager)
919.407.0460
Email Aalayah