Durham public housing properties will soon receive stable internet connection

McDougald Terrace residents will be the first to get the internet connectivity.

Some days are better than others for those who live in McDougald Terrace, trying to get connection either on their cell phone or logging on to WiFi for virtual learning.

The city’s project, however, is giving one mother hope that she can finally have something to rely on.

Corinthia Rainey recently moved to McDougald Terrace after quitting her job to become a stay-at-home mom and help her kids with online classes.

“One kid logs in, then I can’t log the other kid in. Then one kid has classes, then the other one doesn’t," said Rainey.

The single mom of two said calling this a ‘struggle’ is an understatement. Even with the the hotspots distributed by DPS, she’s facing challenges.

“In the area we all kind of work together. Stick our head out and say did you guys get connection today? Did your kids go to school today?”

Fixing the digital divide for Durham Housing Authority properties is something Deputy City Manager, Wanda Page, believes was long overdue. “We have wanted to do this project, but we have been preparing to do it with other investments," said Page.

Now they have $1.4 million from CARES Funding and are breaking-ground on a 5G campus network for all nine properties.

“We were really able to take these CARES funds, connect to that project, prioritize our public housing community, bringing them to the top of our list," she added.

“We need it. We need it. So I’m very excited to see," added Rainey. She said this project will be life-changing, especially for the next generation being raised in low-income communities.

“Everybody deserves education. No matter what side of town they’re from or what situations they’re in. Everybody should have some type of access to the world," Rainey added.

The city said they are working to get the internet up and running as quickly as possible at all nine properties, promising it will happen before the end of the year.

Duke University is also a major partner, doing design work for the campus networks at no cost. According to the city, the installations can last up to ten years.