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.