4 vacant lots sat overgrown in east Durham. Here’s what the new owner has in store.

July 18, 2024

Written by Chantal Allam
Published by the News & Observer, July 17, 2024

For decades, four empty lots have sat within blocks of each other, unused and overgrown, in east Durham’s historic Edgemont neighborhood.

Owned by the Durham Housing Authority, they’ve now been sold to Habitat for Humanity of Durham, which plans to build much-needed affordable housing in this rapidly gentrifying enclave.

Habitat bought the parcels, ranging from 0.17 acres to 0.21 acres, for about $300,000, according to a deed filed May 30.

They’re located at 104 N. Blacknall St., 1401 E. Main St., 1411 E. Main St. and 105 N. Goley St., less than two miles from downtown.

As available land in the city’s core grows scarce, Habitat CEO Tiana Joyner said it’s critical to preserve properties in nearby neighborhoods like Edgemont for affordable housing.

She’s also focused on “responsible” density.

Case in point: The lots at 1401 E Main and 104 N. Blacknall streets will be subdivided for a total of five homes, each with three bedrooms and two-and-a-half bathrooms.

Once known as Smoky Hollow, the area around the Durham Hosiery Mill in the late 20th century later became an economic hub for the African American community.

Today, it’s prime Durham real estate.

The median sale price in this ZIP code (27703), which measures the “middle price” of homes that sold, is $428,000, according to Redfin. That’s up 3.8% since last year.

That’s out of reach for the people Habitat serves, who typically earn 50% to 80% of the area median. In Durham, that looks like this

50% AMI: $35,400 for an individual to $50,550 for a family of four.
80% AMI: $56,650 for an individual to $80,900 for a family of four.

A household would need to earn about $130,000 to afford that median-priced home with a 20% down payment.

WHAT’S IN THE DEAL

Habitat plans to build a mix of seven single- and two-story homes across the lots.

As part of the deal, the nonprofit must complete them within five years of the transfer date. The groundbreaking is scheduled for early next year, Joyner said.

Habitat will give priority to applications from DHA residents who meet the qualifications for the Durham Habitat Homeownership program.

“DHA is extremely grateful for the collaboration with Durham Habitat,” Anthony Scott, the authority’s CEO, said in a release.

“This ultimately helps our families have access to generational wealth and equity to pass down to their children or family.”