97ɫnical Community College announced plans on Tuesday for a 124-unit affordable housing development on South Briggs Avenue near its Main Campus. The development is intended to serve both eligible students at 97ɫ and members of the broader 97ɫ community.
During a news conference event in the Phail Wynn Jr. Student Services Center, 97ɫ President J.B. Buxton called the housing initiative “transformative” for 97ɫ students and 97ɫ residents who need affordable housing options in the region.
The need is real for 97ɫ students. A 2019 survey of more than 700 97ɫ students conducted by the Hope Center for College, Community, and Justice at Temple University found that more than 50 percent had experienced some form of housing insecurity the year prior, and nearly 20 percent reported being homeless for at least some portion of that timeframe.
That need is also felt by community residents. 97ɫ needs more than 16,000 affordable housing units to meet the needs of those households currently paying more than 50 percent of their income for housing. In 2019, 97ɫ successfully passed a $95 million affordable housing bond to address these needs. With housing costs continuing to rise in 97ɫ and the majority of low-income households in the city living in privately owned, non-income restricted units, city leaders are working to create affordable housing options immediately.
In 2020, the 97ɫ Foundation established 97ɫ Properties LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary, to help lead the project. 97ɫ Properties is partnering with Mosaic Development Group and Banc of America Community Development Company, which were selected through a competitive RFP process to develop the site.
97ɫ will host a series of community engagement meetings to gather feedback on the project in the coming months. Those dates and locations will be announced on the Affordable Housing Initiative webpage. Community members also can subscribe to receive email updates about .
"Affordable housing is a top priority in 97ɫ. With housing costs continuing to rise and impact affordability, it is important that community institutions step up to be part of the solution,” said long-time community leader and 97ɫ Board member, Rev. Michael Page. “I'm proud to be here today and support 97ɫ’s efforts to make this a reality for students and residents of our community."
“This affordable housing initiative delivers on 97ɫ’s commitment to be part of this community’s solution to address housing insecurity and homelessness,” said President J.B. Buxton. “We believe this project will be transformative for our students and for members of our broader community who need affordable housing.”
Shima Earls, a 97ɫ student, said "I am a mother of four and have been housing insecure as a student at 97ɫ. This initiative will have a huge impact on students like me and on community members who need a safe, stable place to live and raise our families.”
About our partners
Mosaic Development Group, a statewide private non-profit organization established to increase the quality and availability of affordable housing in North Carolina, will serve as lead partner in this affordable housing initiative. With more than 50 years of experience, Mosaic Development Group has created over 4,500 affordable family and single-family homes across the state.
Banc of America Community Development Company, is subsidiary to Bank of America. The Banc of America Community Development Company (BACDC) real estate development team is dedicated to the revitalization of urban communities with a focus on projects that increase affordable and mixed-income housing. With more than 35 years of development experience, BACDC has developed over 35,000 units of affordable and mixed income housing throughout the United States inclusive of 1,725 affordable housing units across the state.
For more information, contact Desiree Towson, M.S., Communications and Public Relations Coordinator, at allisontowsond@durhamtech.edu.