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Durham Housing Authority residents demand leaders to take immediate action on unsafe living conditions

Durham public housing residents are saying enough is enough.

Posted Updated

By
Lora Lavigne
, WRAL Durham reporter

Durham public housing residents are saying enough is enough.

Advocates are calling on Durham Housing Authority leaders to address ongoing issues which are forcing them to live in unsafe living conditions.

Many people rallied outside DHA’s headquarters Wednesday, calling on leaders to take immediate action. They said families are forced to live in deplorable conditions and have now written out their demands.

“And If I have to come out here everyday I will," said Janit Nesbitt, who has children living in public housing.

Frustration intensified as many families who live in public housing voice lingering concerns.

“If you walk into their apartment, you can smell the infestation of roaches," Nesbitt said.

"We’re demanding for housing authority to step up and do something now. Not months from now," said Sheryl Smith, an advocate.

Residents said they’ve filed complaint after complaint. Maintenance issues are going unfulfilled and people are living without heat and with uninvited pests.

“Living in these kind of conditions can contribute to some of this crime that’s going on in Durham Housing Authority communities," Smith added. "Children and adults getting sick, elderly getting sick. It just adds more health issues to these problems."

DHA’s CEO Anthony Scott says he understands why folks are upset.

"I certainly share that frustration," Scott said.

He said the pandemic cut down staff and resources early on, which impacted their ability to tackle these issues more aggressively.

"Residents are right. It’s not like we were caught up with our work orders. it just exacerbated things," he added.

“We’re tired of hearing the excuses. Just one excuse after another," Smith said.

Advocates are demanding a thorough inspection of all DHA units, the cover of costs for medical checkups for those impacted by any hazardous exposures and the completion of maintenance repairs within 48 hours.

“We will not stop until our people have received equality, justice and a safe and decent place to live," one protester said.

DHA said a Pilot Project is currently being done at the Hoover Road complex with a third party independent inspection. They plan to use the same approach there to tackle other properties soon.

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