Durham CAN leaders attending Durham County Commissioners meeting as they vote on affordable housing
After three years of organizing and persistent public pressure, Durham CAN won 277 new apartments in downtown Durham near three of its anchor congregations. Voting unanimously for the plan, Durham County Commissioners kept their commitment to Durham CAN and agreed to put affordable and market-rate apartments on county land on the 300 and 500 blocks of East Main Street. The land was originally slated for luxury housing in a deal that was not public. Leaders pressured Durham City Council to prioritize affordable housing on over four acres of city-owned land that led to the Mayor presenting a proposal reflecting Durham CAN’s top priority and included all demands: a minimum of 80 units of affordable housing for families under 60% AMI, including a commitment for a developer to work with the Durham Housing Authority to accept residents with vouchers.