Millions of dollars in federal housing recovery funds will soon be working toward stabilizing some of Durham's struggling neighborhoods. The City will receive $2.1 million through the North Carolina Department of Commerce to mitigate the effect of foreclosures in Northeast Central Durham, Southwest Central Durham, Southside, and the West Geer Street project area. Funding for the Neighborhood Stabilization Program was authorized by the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008. Larry Jarvis, assistant director of the City's Community Development Department, explains how the money will be spent on the upcoming episode of "City Hall This Week."
Saturday, June 6, 12 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Eastway Festival – A neighborhood celebration for the homeowners
Wednesday, June 10, 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Stewart Heights Rededication Ceremony
Thursday, June 11, 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
HomeWorkshop – educating existing homeowners citywide
Information available on: Home Maintenance, homeownership, foreclosure assistance, homelessness prevention, fair housing, homebuyer tax credits and more.
Tuesday, June 23, 12 p.m. to 2 p.m.
Builders of Hope – Rosedale Avenue Open House
Four newly renovated homes, two single family and two rental units
For more information on homeownership, foreclosure assistance, homelessness prevention, fair housing and homebuyer tax credits, call the City of Durham Homeownership Hotline at (919) 560-4000.
Habitat of Durham Information Session
Look for representatives of the Department of Community Development on "City Hall This Week" and "CityLife" during June and on WNCU Radio on May 22. "City Hall This Week" and "CityLife" are features of DTV8, Time Warner Cable channel 8. Visit the Web site for a schedule of air times.
The Department of Community Development coordinates the City’s housing resources and various housing assistance programs, and promotes affordable housing by working with investors and community housing development organizations. The department provides assistance with the abatement of lead in older homes. The department administers the City’s entitlement programs from the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development.
The mission of the Department of Community Development is to foster safe, decent and sustainable neighborhoods and to enhance housing quality and affordability for the citizens of Durham.
This program includes the oversight provided through the office of the associate director of fiscal management and planning administration including: administrative and managerial functions that are required for daily operations of the department; customer service and facility management; strategic planning for administration improvements, oversight of the housing loan portfolio, grants budgeting and financial management, department budgets, special projects, and management of the federal Integrated Disbursement and Information System on grant performance reporting.
This program includes the oversight provided through the office of the associate director of housing development and project administration including: all community development, housing development, community revitalization and redevelopment projects, programs and services intended to stabilize communities through housing production, public service delivery, technical assistance targeted to specific neighborhoods and groups, homebuyer initiatives, housing rehabilitation, lead hazard mitigation and abatement, federal grant programs management, the Weed and Seed Program, customer service, and other activities that improve living conditions in neighborhoods.
The Weed and Seed Program strategy in the Hayti community is being implemented by focusing on four primary components, objectives, and activities carried out by law enforcement, community policing, prevention/intervention/treatment, and neighborhood restoration.
The Northeast Central Durham (NECD) revitalization program strategy is the City of Durham’s urban challenge. This program includes addressing multi-dimensional issues in the NECD neighborhoods and efforts in building community capacity. The CECD program focuses on building good schools, decent and affordable housing, human capacity, addressing crime and unemployment, and economic development within the commercial areas. The program activities are carried out through the NECD executive director in the Department of Community Development.