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Durham Council pledges up to $1.5M in conditional loan to Durham Housing Authority amid resident complaints
Summary
The council authorized a conditional commitment of up to $1.5 million to the Durham Housing Authority (DHA) to address capital and operational needs, with council requiring DHA to take steps to improve operations. Speakers at public comment urged transparency and repairs at several DHA properties.
The Durham City Council voted unanimously to provide a conditional binding commitment of up to $1.5 million in loan assistance to the Durham Housing Authority, a measure council members said is intended to help stabilize the agency while requiring DHA to take steps to improve operations.
The council passed three related votes: the conditional loan commitment of up to $1.5 million, authorization for the city manager to execute necessary documents to implement the commitment, and authority for the manager to make non-financial changes to the commitment so long as they do not increase the city's financial obligation. Each vote passed 7-0.
During public comment before the vote, residents urged stronger oversight and transparency from DHA. Shalita Burrows, speaking from the public audience, said maintenance requests were often unanswered, cited mold and air-conditioning problems in senior properties, and named several properties by address: Edgemont, Elms, Golden Point, Price Steel, Daymar Court and Morin Road. Burrows also asked the council to specify which properties would be served and to require accountability for funds the city provides.
Council members acknowledged longstanding federal underfunding of public housing and said the city must step in to help residents while also requiring DHA to address management and maintenance shortfalls. Council members asked that DHA provide specific plans for how the funds would be used and for the agency to demonstrate near-term operational improvements.
Council members also noted a waiting list for DHA housing of more than 6,000 people and that emergency rental and pandemic-era funds helped some households but have not solved longer-term maintenance and capital needs.
The council recorded the action as a conditional loan and directed the city manager to complete documents and required instruments to implement the commitment. The manager was also authorized to make adjustments to the commitment that did not increase the city's financial obligations.
The city said follow-up work will include written commitments from DHA about how the loan will be used, reporting requirements and continued monitoring by city staff.
