First Phase Of Raleigh Public Housing Community Opens

Capitol Park is being built where the Halifax Court public housing used to be. The first phase, called Parkview Manor, opened Thursday.

The 90-unit apartment building is for people age 55 and older. So far, 30 of the units are spoken for.

James Matthews hopes to live in one of them.

"This is the greatest apartment in Raleigh that I have been in and for the money we'll pay to stay here, I think that's magnificent," he said.

Raleigh tore down the Halifax Court public housing community about two years ago.

Steve Beam, the executive director the Raleigh Housing Authority, said the style was outdated and the crime was out of control.

"There were barracks-style houses, there was no green space, no personal space. The last year it was open [there were] over 1,500 calls to the police," he said.

The housing authority helped Halifax Court families find new homes after the complex was demolished.

Beam said some of those families want to move to Capitol Park, but he said the housing authority will do background checks to ensure they do not allow trouble back in.

"They have to be in good standing when you move in, but must remain a tenant in good standing. If anything goes wrong, any violations of the lease, if you're disruptive in the neighborhood or you in any way bring a negative fact to this neighborhood, you're gone," Beam said.

The old Halifax Court is being rebuilt with a nearly $30 million federal grant. Capitol Park will be a mix of public housing and market-rate townhomes and single family homes.

Raleigh is also in the early stages of putting together a grant application for a similar project at the Chavis Heights public housing community.

In Durham, Few Gardens is being redeveloped but not without protests from some residents who believe they're being pushed out for pricier homes.