project leader
Jane T
location
Roxboro St
(Old North Durham and Duke Park)
latest update rss
Thank you, neighbors!

the project

We’ve all been affected by the ongoing pandemic, but renters in our neighborhood will be hit the hardest as the virus and job losses continue. With the end of unemployment benefits and eviction moratoriums, more and more renters are likely to lose their homes at a time when having a place to shelter is a matter of life and death.

 

Mutual aid groups in Old North Durham and Duke Park are raising money to provide rent relief for households in our neighborhoods. Our goal is to raise $10,000 to provide 20 households with $500 to go toward rent and utility payments. The more we are able to raise, the more households we’ll be able to support. 

 

Although we know $500 is not enough to cover a month’s rent, it could make a difference for renters on the margin. Because our process will be more nimble and less burdensome than others, we can get funds quickly into the hands who need them. 

 

During this time of social distancing and isolation, we can still come together to support one another. 

the steps

By the end of September 

  • Collect funds from neighbors
  • Follow up applicants about their needs.

 

By early October

  • Redistribute funds to neighbors who request support 

 

*Should requests exceed funds available, our mutual aid groups are committed to connecting applicants to other resources and efforts in the community 

 

why we're doing it

Why we’re doing it

Even before the pandemic, Durham was in an affordable housing crisis. Rising rents across the city have put undue pressure on low-income renters. Half of renters in Durham spend more than 30% of their income on rent. Durham has the highest rate of eviction filings among the state’s 10 largest counties. Filings for eviction in Durham County have already begun to increase with the end of the moratorium in July. The longer the pandemic lasts, the more housing insecurity there will be - especially among Black and Hispanic households who are more likely to rent and have been affected by COVID-related job loss at a higher rate. 

Our government has been slow to act. 

Although the CDC recently issued an eviction moratorium until the end of the year, it does not relieve renters of their financial obligations and therefore only postpones evictions. Meanwhile, lawmakers at the federal level can’t agree to another stimulus package to provide the long term financial assistance needed to keep renters stably housed and allow small landlords to pay their expenses. Governor Cooper recently announced $94 million for rent and utility payments to avoid evictions but applications are not yet open. And the City of Durham has yet to announce any plans to provide assistance. As we have seen with other rent relief funds across the country, any funding will run out quickly. Moreover, some people who need support will be left out including those who are undocumented or work in the cash economy. 

Now more than ever, it’s become clear all we have is one another. 

Mutual aid networks sprung up around the country when the pandemic first started and have provided support and resources these past six months. In Old North Durham and Duke Park, mutual aid groups have distributed over 500 reusable masks, redistributed stimulus checks to four undocumented families, raised over $4000 for low-income families at Durham Nativity School, bought groceries for elderly and immunocompromised neighbors, and provided other kinds of support. The rent relief fund is the latest project in an ongoing effort to come together and meet each other’s needs. 

 

budget

Disbursed:

$300 to 50 applicants and $145.58 to 1 applicant




TOTAL RAISED = $15,664.00 $15,664.00
ioby Platform Fee waived $35.00
ioby Fiscal Sponsorship Fee (5%) waived $781.45
ioby Donation Processing Fee (3%) $469.92 $468.87
TOTAL TO DISBURSE= $15,194.08 $14,378.68

Original:

We are aiming for $15,000, so we can provide $500 grants to 30 households.



PROJECT FUNDING NEEDED = $15,000
ioby Platform Fee waived
ioby Fiscal Sponsorship Fee (5%) waived
ioby Donation Processing Fee (3%)
(Donation processing fee does not apply to match funding.)
$464
TOTAL TO RAISE = $15,464

Please note: ioby fees are estimated and will be calculated based on totals at the end of the campaign.

updates

Thank you, neighbors!

Dear Neighbors, 

Thank you so much for your fundraising help with the October Rent & Utility Relief initiative. Your contributions helped our neighbors keep the lights on and the water running, pay their rent and remain in their homes. Together, we raised $15,664, with donations from neighbors and neighboring businesses. With those funds, we were able to provide $300 to 52 households in and around our neighborhoods. 

$300 is not enough to cover rent for most families, but it helped, and was enough to cover utilities for some neighbors who were at risk of having their water shut-off—a staggering cruelty during a pandemic, especially as the cold months draw near. We learned about some of the specific hurdles our neighbors are facing—for some families facing food insecurity, picking up items from food pantries is difficult when they work long hours. Others are elderly and without transportation, which makes doctors visits and shopping difficult. Others still are unemployed, abandoned by the system, and in ongoing need of financial assistance. These are all urgent needs that may get worse during winter. 

Of course, there is no single solution. Our hope is that we continue to build relationships with folks who applied and help address needs as they arise. We hope that you’ll join us in figuring that out—whether it’s delivering food, helping a neighbor get connected with outside resources, or continuing to send $50 to a neighbor in an emergency. If you have ideas, too—let’s talk! Please reach out by email at ond.dukepark.fund@gmail.com if you have thoughts or are interested in participating in future efforts.

Take care, 

Old North Durham & Duke Park Mutual Aid 

 

 

Last Day!

Thank you so much for all your support! This is the last day to support our neighbors for October bills - we've received over 60 applications for assistance. There's still time to give if you can help us exceed our original goal to meet these needs! 

Thanks + A New Goal

We met our goal of $10,000!

With ten days until the rent is due and over 40 neighbors requesting support, we are raising our goal to $15,000. Will you help us achieve this milestone and to help even more households before October 1 by sharing our campaign with neighbors, friends and families?

We couldn't be more proud of what our community been able to accomplish in the 12 days since we launched. Thank you all for your incredible generosity and for taking care of each other during this unprecedented crisis.

photos

This is where photos will go once we build flickr integration

donors

  • Roger Edwards
  • Elizabeth & Birdie
  • Cocoa Cinnamon / Little Waves Coffee Roasters
  • Anonymous
  • Todd O.
  • Gennelle W.
  • Anonymous
  • Anonymous
  • Chris G.
  • Anonymous
  • Anonymous
  • Anonymous
  • Toni and Fernando Campoamor
  • Christ Central Church
  • Angie C.
  • LouElla Wine Beer & Beverage
  • Anonymous
  • Ian K.
  • Rachel W.
  • Zoe T.
  • Mimi
  • Anonymous
  • Anonymous
  • Francis W.
  • Jesse S.
  • Anonymous
  • Annie M.
  • Drew B.
  • Anonymous
  • Jennifer S.
  • let's make this $15K goal!
  • Anonymous
  • Nancy & Tom
  • Anonymous
  • Ali
  • Anna S.
  • Anonymous
  • Anonymous
  • Anonymous
  • Kaitlin H.
  • M M.
  • Nicole W.
  • Anonymous
  • Kal F.
  • Adam P.
  • Lori P.
  • Joyce
  • Anonymous
  • Anonymous
  • Nancy and Tom
  • Moira M.
  • Anonymous
  • Anonymous
  • Paula J Compton
  • Renee Cagnina Haynes
  • Bianca W.
  • Anonymous
  • Jennifer H.
  • BARBARA S.
  • Gerri M.
  • <3
  • Vicki B.
  • Anonymous
  • a dacian neighbor
  • Anonymous
  • Anonymous
  • Melanie M.
  • Polly & Tom Harris
  • Iza W.
  • Mary Anne M.
  • Annie M.
  • Morag C.
  • The Hurwitz family
  • Anonymous
  • A friendly wave
  • Duke Park Neighbor
  • Anonymous
  • Morgan
  • Roxana Bendezú
  • Rima
  • Mary Beth B.
  • Patrick B
  • Staci B.
  • Helen and Mark Atkinson
  • Duke Park neighbor
  • Jacob L.
  • David and Melanie Biddell
  • Scott B.
  • Tim Washburn
  • Anonymous
  • Anonymous
  • Ingrid Pohl
  • Charlene R.
  • Neighbors Helping Neighbors
  • Anonymous
  • Charlotte M.
  • Mary M.
  • Shelley and Bob B.
  • Sarah F.
  • Mary Anne M.
  • Hoping that many more will help, and we'll all make a difference
  • Lee A.
  • Anonymous
  • Reid & Maria
  • Brenda Y.
  • Anonymous
  • Susan McSwain
  • Anonymous
  • Jacob B.
  • Jessalee
  • Anonymous
  • Kate C.
  • Caitlin Biddell
  • Anonymous
  • Paul W.
  • Anonymous
  • Anonymous