Durham, North Carolina – The city and county announced a $1.65 million investment to expand the Flexible Housing Assistance Fund, a key component of Durham’s “Strategic Framework To Make Homelessness Rare & Brief,” according to WRAL. The funding, split between a $1 million contribution from Duke University and $650,000 from the A.J. Fletcher Foundation, is intended to remove financial barriers that keep families from securing housing.
The Flexible Housing Assistance Fund powers “Housing Sprints,” short‑term initiatives that provide security deposits, application fees and other costs so households can move into available units within weeks. Since the sprints began in February, they have placed 115 people—including 50 children—into homes, and 98 % of those households remain housed as of November 2026, WRAL reported.
City officials say the rapid‑response model is essential because timing often determines whether a unit is lost to the market. Community Safety Director Ryan Smith noted that the fund’s flexibility “helps us remove barriers immediately,” allowing partners to act when opportunities arise.
The broader strategic plan sets an ambitious target: to make homelessness rare, brief and non‑recurring by 2031, with a specific goal of housing 400 people by June 2027. To achieve this, the city and county have pledged to raise an additional $5 million in private and philanthropic support, according to the press release cited by WRAL.Local landlords interested in participating can apply by emailing the city’s housing team at [email protected]. The program also invites community members to host housewarming events or contribute directly to the fund, providing multiple avenues for residents to support the effort.
What’s next: Durham will continue to solicit private donations toward its $5 million fundraising goal while expanding the number of Housing Sprints. The city plans to track progress toward the June 2027 target and will release periodic updates on placement numbers and fund utilization.
Sources: wral.com
