History

1987

Housing Bond Referendum

In the early days, DCLT was invited to renovate housing on the 700 South block of Buchanan Blvd.

The initial house was donated to DCLT. The other four houses were subsequently purchased and renovated by DCLT at different times in an effort to target our impact on the street. Most houses were duplexes that were converted to single-family housing units and sold to first-time homebuyers using the land trust model.

1987

Durham County Land Trustee was established in 1987 by neighborhood residents in response to rising housing prices, absentee landlords, and housing disrepair in their community.

1987

“Take Back the Streets March”

In response to rising housing prices and subpar living conditions, neighborhood residents marched to preserve homes that low-income owners and renters could continue to afford as neighborhood property values increased. They also wanted to restore the community to the vibrancy of years past.

1992

City of Durham established as a HUD Entitlement City.

1996

Former staff members pictured here circa 1996 in front of DCLT’s former offices on Morehead Ave. with Susan Synder(L)- former Business Manager, Martin Hahn- former Executive Director, Karl Hammond- former project manager and Muna Mujahid- former Community Organizer.

2005

Creation of the West End Collaborative. This initiative, funded by Duke University and the Quality of Life Initiative, land banked over 100 parcels of land in the Durham West End neighborhood for future development by partners – Self-Help, DCLT, and Habitat for Humanity

2017

The West End: Then and Now

A short documentary produced by filmmaker Mikel Barton and former DCLT Community Engagement Committee Board Chair Sandy Demeree featuring West End residents Juanita McNeil and Mary Elliott.