North Carolina is one of the fastest growing states in the country. World-class universities, expansive state parks, proximity to an international airport, the beach, the mountains, and that sweet southern charm are big draws for the Tar Heel State. According to the NC Chamber Foundation, the number of households in the state will increase by 218,160 between 2024 and 2029. The state needs a whopping 764,478 units, a mixture of for-sale and rental housing, to meet such high demand.
Durham County is one of the places facing down the massive influx of residents to the state. The report says that Durham ranks 4th in overall housing gap–the number of units needed to keep up with population growth–at 32,992 units, behind Mecklenburg, Wake and Guilford counties. Low-income homeowners and renters are feeling the pressures more acutely. According to the Triangle Community Foundation, Durham is short roughly 25,000 units for low-income and working class families.
There are many paths to reaching Durham’s housing goals, each with its own merits and shortcomings. Nearly every solution involves a combination of public and private sector contributions, and scales from accessory dwelling units and single family homes, to quadplexes and yes, even those gaudy high rises…