A yellow house with three people holding hands in front of it.

Housing Development

Housing Development

Expanding affordable housing in Durham

The logo for laurel street shows a house in a green circle.
The logo for laurel street shows a house in a green circle.

The Durham Housing Authority is partnering with Laurel Street Residential on the redevelopment of the 519 E. Main and Liberty Street Apartments. The completed redevelopment will replace 214 public housing units with 555 mixed-income apartments, including 348 affordable and 207 market-rate units.  All of the public housing units that are being demolished will be replaced and additional affordable units added.  The development will also include a one-acre park, playgrounds, a community center and new commercial space along Main Street.

519 E. Main and Liberty Street

A Four-Phase Transformation

Phase 1 – Elizabeth Street Apartments

This phase began before the award of the Choice Neighborhoods grant.  Construction of a new building began in May 2023 and is expected to be completed in March 2025. The new building will offer 72 apartments for individuals and families.

An artist 's impression of a apartment building with a man standing on a balcony.

Phase 2 – Commerce Street Apartments

Construction of this phase began in July 2024 and is expected to be completed in the spring of 2026.  Commerce will consist of 172 units in two four-story buildings – an 88-unit senior building and an 84-unit family building. 

An artist 's impression of a large apartment building with a car parked in front of it.

Phase 3 - Dillard Street Apartments

Dillard Street will include 146 family units in a range of building types.  Construction of the first 48 units began in November 2024 and is expected to be completed by the end of 2025.  Construction of the remaining 98 units will begin mid-2025.

An artist 's impression of a new apartment building.

Phase 4 – Main Street Apartments

Main Street will offer 165 apartments for individuals and families, along with retail and commercial space on the ground floor.  Construction is expected to begin in 2026.     

An artist 's impression of a large apartment building

Site Plan

A map of a residential area with a lot of buildings
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