Durham Moves Forward with Affordable Housing Plan for Old Police HQ

Community groups and city leaders back a $26 million proposal to transform the vacant site into 80 affordable units.

Apr. 6, 2026 at 10:36pm

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A bold, graphic illustration of a stylized apartment building icon repeated in a grid pattern, using a vibrant color palette of deep indigo, burnt orange, and olive green to represent the affordable housing proposal for the old Durham police headquarters site.A community-driven plan to transform a vacant lot into affordable housing units aims to address Durham's housing crisis.Durham Today

Plans are moving ahead to potentially bring affordable housing to the site of the old Durham Police Headquarters. Durham CAN, a coalition of local community groups and institutions, presented two redevelopment proposals aimed at tackling the city's affordable housing crisis, with City Council members ultimately backing a $26 million plan for a seven-story building with 80 units and structured parking.

Why it matters

The vacant 4-acre property has the potential to address Durham's pressing need for more affordable housing options, especially as the city continues to see an influx of new residents who may not have deep roots in the community.

The details

The approved Scenario 2 plan includes a seven-story building with 80 units totaling $26 million, with structured parking underneath to preserve space for future development. Past redevelopment efforts at the site had fallen through, making this a real opportunity to meet community needs according to Durham CAN.

  • During the March 19 City Council work session, Mayor Leonardo Williams praised the new direction.
  • City leaders say that because of the consensus reached among council members, no additional vote is needed.
  • Durham CAN hopes a developer will be chosen by July.

The players

Leonardo Williams

The mayor of Durham, North Carolina, who praised the new affordable housing direction during a City Council work session.

Durham CAN

A coalition of local community groups and institutions that presented the two redevelopment proposals for the old police headquarters site.

Rick Larson

A member of Durham CAN who explained that the approved plan with structured parking was the best way to preserve the site for future development.

Ketty Thelmaque

The lead organizer for Durham CAN, who said the group will continue to fight until the affordable housing units are open and occupied.

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What they’re saying

“There is no perfect outcome, but there is an outcome. This is the first time in 10 years that we've been able to get some direction.”

— Leonardo Williams, Mayor

“The best way to keep as much of this site available for future development for other purposes, which has always been the city's goal, was to create structured parking, a fancy way of saying a parking garage underneath the apartment building.”

— Rick Larson, Durham CAN Member

“We will continue to fight until we see the ribbon cutting, until we see the units open, until individuals moving in can finally say, 'I have affordable housing.'”

— Ketty Thelmaque, Lead Organizer, Durham CAN

What’s next

The project will move forward with the developer selection process, and the City Council is expected to vote on whether Preservation North Carolina will preserve the old police headquarters.

The takeaway

This affordable housing proposal represents a significant step forward in addressing Durham's housing affordability crisis, with community groups and city leaders coming together to transform a vacant site into much-needed affordable units. However, the work is not done until the ribbon is cut and residents can move in, as advocates vow to keep fighting to see this project through to completion.