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Urban Ministries asks Durham County for $3 million to advance collaborative homeless services center
Summary
Urban Ministries pitched a 300‑bed collaborative homeless services center to Durham County, asking commissioners to allocate $3 million for predevelopment and initial design and describing a plan combining emergency shelter, day services and medical respite on a donated Saint Philip's site.
Urban Ministries presented a plan for a collaborative, trauma‑informed homeless services center and asked Durham County to allocate $3 million in the capital improvement plan to cover predevelopment and initial design.
Sheldon Mitchell, executive director of Urban Ministries of Durham, described a multi‑service facility that would provide emergency shelter, expanded day services and clinical care and said the organization currently serves more than 6,000 individuals annually. “We are providing emergency shelter,” Mitchell said while reviewing last year’s service metrics and the organization’s request that would represent roughly 16% of Urban Ministries’ anticipated FY26 budget if funded.
The proposed site is a 0.8‑acre parcel offered by Saint Philip’s Episcopal Church. Urban Ministries and its design partner estimated the total capital cost could range widely depending on site and building type, with preliminary figures discussed in the meeting spanning approximately $30 million to $50 million for the purpose‑built facility; presenters acknowledged a smaller alternative‑site low‑rise option could reduce costs.
Commissioners asked for more detail on cost breakdowns and alternatives. Vice Chair Dr. Williams asked whether staff had identified alternative sites and noted the $20 million difference between a high‑rise option on the Saint Philip site and a lower‑cost alternative. Mitchell responded the team had not yet identified an alternative site with the same service‑adjacent benefits and emphasized the project’s proximity to human services would aid access and coordination.
Several commissioners urged short‑term pilots and coordination with existing programs while the larger project proceeds. Commissioner Jacobs asked for a budget breakdown and for the city’s expected cost share on operating expenses; Urban Ministries said it receives some CDBG funding but not regular city operating support and asked the board to consider both short‑term pilots (day‑center models) and the requested predevelopment sum to move design work forward.
The presentation led to an agreement to continue conversations with Urban Ministries and to provide planning and budget detail during upcoming budget work sessions so commissioners can weigh long‑term capital needs against other county priorities.
