Durham Tech Breaks Ground, Begins Construction on S. Briggs Avenue Affordable Housing Community

Durham Technical Community College began site work and early steps of construction at the site of its future affordable housing community this month.

The college shared an update on Apr. 1 saying work had begun at the school-owned property 902 South Briggs Avenue, where a 124-unit multi-family complex will eventually be built. The project is an initiative to increase Durham’s affordable housing supply for the city’s workforce as well as some of the Durham Tech campus community. The one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments will be reserved for Durham residents earning between 30% and 70% of the Area Median Income, with 25% of the units reserved for enrolled community college students.

“We know that in a community where affordable housing is a real priority, we have to play our role as a community institution.” President J.B. Buxton told 97.9 The Hill in 2024 about the project. “It’s a piece of property we have that we thought would be well-positioned for that. That’s going to be about 25% for our students who we think can qualify with a low-income housing tax credit, and about 75% for the community at large. So, this is not just for Durham Tech — it’s Durham Tech being part of the larger community aspiration to create more affordable housing.”

The project is the result of a 2019 survey Durham Tech used to ask students about housing and college priorities. Students responded by saying more than 50% experienced housing insecurity in the prior year, leading the community college to examine the land it held a quarter-mile away from its main campus off East Lawson Street as an option for development. To help with the development and financing, Durham Tech teamed up with the Mosaic Development Group and Banc of America Community Development Company.

“When half the student body is facing housing insecurity, that’s not a statistic – it’s a clear call to action,” Mosaic’s Executive Director Bill Bolstad said. “This project is what it looks like when the right partners come together to solve real-world problems. By combining Durham Tech’s vision with our development expertise, we’re delivering high-quality housing that creates stability and expands opportunity for students and families alike.”

“This project reflects our commitment to the communities we serve and the importance of working alongside strong partners to meet real needs,” added Banc of America Community Development Banking Senior Vice President Eileen Pope. “By collaborating with Durham Tech and Mosaic, we’re helping directly address the critical shortage of affordable housing.”

The latest renderings of the affordable housing development on South Briggs Street. (Image via Mosaic Development Group)

Beyond the work of Durham Tech and its development partners, the 902 South Briggs Avenue housing community also earned financial support from local and federal levels of government. The Durham City Council pledged $3 million to the project in February 2023, followed by the Durham County Commissioners allocating around $3 million. In October 2024, U.S. Rep. Valerie Foushee’s office held a ceremony with the community college to celebrate the approval of $620,000 for the project as a Community Project Funding request. In 2024, Buxton said the project’s estimated cost was $35 million.

“That [government funding] allows us to bring in equity investors and a low-income housing tax credit,” said the Durham Tech president. “With about $6.5 million of financing, we can do a $35-36 million housing project. It’s an incredible opportunity to add to affordable housing stock. [Workforce housing is] a very important need in the community, and we’re really excited to help address it.”

In its Apr. 1 update, Durham Tech said if the construction timeline for its holds, an interest list for potential residents will open in early 2027 and the first tenants could move in during the fall.

Featured photo via Durham Technical Community College.

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Durham Tech Breaks Ground, Begins Construction on S. Briggs Avenue Affordable Housing Community

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