Durham asking nonprofits to help with growing need for affordable housing

Durham has identified more than a dozen vacant city-owned parcels of land that could provide affordable housing.

The city has issued a request for proposals asking nonprofit organizations to submit plans to develop the land.

The request notes:

• One of the major obstacles affordable housing builders/developers face is a lack of vacant lots
• The city is making city-owned lots available to be used
• Staff identified certain lots as possible sites, but city council has not yet determined whether any are surplus - that will come later
• The city may provide up to $100,000 per unit to assist with development & construction costs as deemed necessary
• The plan must clearly preserve affordability for 20 years

"One of the most powerful things a government can do in a market economy is put their own money and land, in this case, where their mouth is," Durham Mayor Pro Tem Mark-Anthony Middleton said. "We can't tell developers what to do all the time, but we can determine what we do with land that we own."

Middleton points to ongoing projects along Main Street, Forest Hill Apartments and JJ Henderson Towers. Durham also has an affordable housing fund.

Meanwhile, a city-owned plot of land on Belgreen Road is empty right now, but it could soon provide a home for affordable housing. From vacant lots to homes for those in need - that's Durham's vision for these kinds of properties.

Housing for New Hope is one of those nonprofits working to make a difference. Executive director Russ Pierce said the numbers show more families are in need of safe, affordable spaces to live.

"What we've seen in the last five years is a 300 percent increase in the number of folks who are unsheltered," said Pierce. "Not able to access shelter, not able to access housing. we on any given night have about 150 people in the community who are without any kind of shelter."

"Durham is an 'it' city, and when you have that much of a demand on a city, it affects prices at the 100 level, economic reality," Middleton said. "So what we have to do is we have to increase stock while safeguarding communities that are the DNA of our community."

Meanwhile, six developers are vying to redevelop the old Durham police headquarters. Next month, the Durham City Council is expected to hear from those developers on how they will execute the priorities of the community, especially for their approach to housing.

The use of these plots of land will be subject to city council approval.