McDougald Terrace Press Conference Report & Next Steps
“…Now, we got to get this thing right. What is needed is a realization that power without love is reckless and abusive, and that love without power is sentimental and anemic. Power at its best is love implementing the demands of justice, and justice at its best is love correcting everything that stands against love….” -Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr."
Durham CAN Leaders Celebrate Valentine's Day With Press Conference On McDougald Terrace
First, a re-prioritization of the City and DHA’s spending plan for the $95 million affordable housing bond that accelerates the necessary funding investments for deferred maintenance in all DHA properties in need of repair with CAN leaders, residents and community members at the design table and considering the redevelopment of Fayette Place as a potential resource.
Second, that the pilot of DHA’s eviction reforms – including rental assistance coordination, regular training of property management staff, and delays in eviction filings for non-payment of rent – be made permanent.
And third, that Mr. Scott, CEO of the Durham Housing Authority, fulfill the public commitments he made to CAN and Hoover Road residents to credit $37,926 in court fees charged to DHA residents whose eviction filings were voluntarily dismissed in 2018 and 2019.
Read the letter in its entirety
Watch the press conference aired by WRAL
Links to press coverage
ABC 11: McDougald Terrace expected to welcome families back Friday
Durham Herald Sun: Public housing tenants go home after carbon monoxide crisis
WRAL: Group wants more money for Durham housing complex maintenance
Spectrum: Displaced Durham Families Return to McDougald Terrace
Assoc. Press (from Durham Herald): Families returning to housing complex after health concerns
News and Observer, Saturday, February 15, 2020 print edition
News and Observer Letter to the editor
Next steps
Attend 2/28 Durham City Budget Retreat
During its February 20th Work Session, the Durham City Council agreed to a last minute request from the Durham Housing Authority for $1.4 million to pay for electrical upgrades in buildings at McDougald Terrace. The City Council plans to discuss where the $1.4 million approved Thursday will come from at its budget retreat on February 28th. The need for repairs at McDougald Terrace, Hoover Road, Oxford Manor, Cornwalis and all DHA communities should not create a false choice between decades of delayed maintenance and fidelity to the City's stated commitments to invest the proceeds from the sale of the Police Headquarters into the construction of new affordable housing, or its commitments to CAN to fund pre-development planning for Fayette Place. We encourage CAN leaders to attend to ensure CAN priorities are reflected in this and other aspects of the budget.
Participate in March Re-inspection at Hoover Road
We will conduct a "Resident Re-Inspection" with Hoover Road residents to document the status of repairs that Mr. Scott committed to completing in Fall 2019 and schedule a meeting to present him with our findings. For more information contact Heather Ladd or Ruth Petrea.
Attend March Eviction Court Watching
If the Durham Housing Authority files new evictions, we'll attend the scheduled March eviction hearings to observe. For more information contact For more information contact Heather Ladd or Ruth Petrea.