Bringing our neighbors home
Across Durham, outreach workers, landlords, congregations, and neighbors are helping people move from tents, cars, and shelters into homes of their own.
104 neighbors home. 296 to go.
Our goal: 400 neighbors housed through Housing Sprints by June 30, 2027.
Progress graphic: 104 of 400 homes filled so far.⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂⌂
Why progress doesn’t always show on the street
Most of this work happens out of sight: a lease signed, a deposit paid, a family moving out of their car. Meanwhile, others lose housing every week.
That’s why the work has three parts:
Before: helping people keep the home they have, so fewer lose it to begin with. During: Housing Sprints that move neighbors into homes of their own. After: support once they’re home. 98% of neighbors housed through sprints are still housed.
The goal is a Durham where losing your home is rare, and no one has to live outside waiting for the next one.
“I’ll show them my keys.”
— Rocky, who moved into his own apartment after about six years in a tent.
Stories from neighbors
Told in their own words, with their consent, and reviewed by them before we share.
James
“It’s a real thing.”
Tony
“I had to pinch myself a couple of times.”
Wanda
“I feel safe. I feel happy.”
Every story here began with a unit, a gift, and a team ready at the same time.
Safety for everyone
Success means a home, not a new corner.
Moving someone down the street doesn’t end their homelessness. A home does. This summer, Oakwood Park closed after everyone living there accepted housing. That’s the standard we work toward: safety for neighbors who are housed and neighbors who aren’t.
This work belongs to all of us.
Guided by Durham’s five-year Strategic Framework, adopted by City Council and County Commissioners in 2026
The City of Durham, Durham County, and partners across the community: providers, congregations, landlords, funders, and neighbors.
- City of Durham
- Durham County
- Duke University & Duke Health
- Alliance Health
- A.J. Fletcher Foundation
- Housing for New Hope
- Families Moving Forward
- Urban Ministries of Durham
- Family Promise of the Triangle
- Open Table Ministry
- Project Access
- NC Coalition to End Homelessness
- Community Solutions
- HOM, Inc.
- Bellwether Collaborative for Health Justice
