Durham Tech, U.S. Rep. Foushee announce $620,000 in federal funds for affordable housing initiative

Durham Tech Community College announced Wednesday, Oct. 2, that it is moving forward with plans to provide affordable housing for its students and the greater community after securing a key piece of funding from the federal government with the assistance of U.S Rep. Valerie Foushee.

Foushee on Wednesday announced the College would receive $620,000 in federal funds for the project. That news follows significant funding approved by the Durham County Commissioners and Durham City Council in 2023. This clears the way for Durham Tech and its partners to move forward by applying for a low-income housing tax credit and begin construction in 2025.  

“I am very pleased that I could assist with this initiative,” Foushee said. “We need more affordable housing in Durham, and I’m very proud of this unique partnership Durham Tech spearheaded that could be a model for other communities in our nation.”

In 2019, Durham Tech began efforts to address the need for affordable housing among its students and the larger Durham community. A 2019 survey found that more than 50 percent of Durham Tech students had experienced housing insecurity in the past year. In 2022, the College announced its intention to develop 124 units of affordable housing on land it owns at 902 S. Briggs Ave. The College is working with Mosaic Development Group and Banc of America Community Development Corporation, selected as partners through a competitive process.  

“We know that finding affordable housing is a critical issue not just for many of our students, but for the greater community,” Durham Tech President J.B. Buxton said. “Lack of affordable housing can be an obstacle for families struggling to make ends meet and for people who want to get an education to pursue careers where they can increase their earnings. Part of the College’s mission is to remove obstacles that impede people in our community from pursuing education, upward mobility and careers.”

Foushee echoed those thoughts.  

“Without the safe, decent, affordable place to live, it’s nearly impossible to thrive in school, succeed in work, raise a family or even stay healthy,” Foushee said.

The College and its partners expect to begin construction in summer 2025 and move tenants in by early summer 2027. Leasing outreach to prospective tenants will start in the summer of 2026.

“Mosaic Development Group is extremely proud to be part of this innovative partnership, which will benefit the community,” Mosaic Development Group Executive Director Bill Bolstad said. “Working with the College has presented a unique opportunity to meet a housing need that has rarely been done in other places.”