Successful Groundbreaking and Grand Opening!
Below you will find the official press release for the Vanguard Apartments Grand Opening and Groundbreaking for Dillard Street Apartments, event photos, and media links from the press. DHA celebrated this major milestone with staff, returning residents from Liberty Street Apartments, elected officials, and partners.
As we continue our mission to provide safe, affordable housing for our residents, we would love for you all to share in this milestone with us.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact:
Aalayah Sanders (Director of Communications)
919-407-0460
Email: asanders@dha-nc.org
DHA, Laurel Street, and Development Partners Celebrate the Grand Opening of Vanguard Apartments
A promise fulfilled at the former Liberty Street Apartments site
Durham, N.C. (September 8, 2025) - Durham Housing Authority (DHA) and Laurel Street are pleased to announce the grand opening celebration of The Vanguard Apartments and groundbreaking for the next phase of the East Main redevelopment, Dillard Street Apartments.
Located in downtown Durham, Vanguard Apartments is a mixed-income development that includes one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartment homes for individuals and families. Building amenities include storage lockers, a multipurpose room, fitness center, computer lab, playground, and outdoor picnic space. Vanguard represents the first phase of the redevelopment of two aging public housing properties, 519 East Main and Liberty Street Apartments, into a vibrant, mixed income community. Twenty-one (21) of the units are prioritized for former residents of 519 E. Main and Liberty Street.
"There's no greater feeling than seeing the former site transform into its next generational purpose as we expand housing opportunities for the Durham community," said Durham Housing Authority Interim CEO Anthony Snell. "These major milestones demonstrate our continued commitment to building communities that reflect - and serve - the people of Durham. This work would not be possible without support from the City of Durham's Forever Home, Durham program, which was funded by the $95 million housing bond approved in 2019." "The citizens and leadership of Durham endorsed the visionary concepts of the DDNP and provided the vital financial support to execute on the implementation."
Also located on the same site, Dillard Street Apartments is another mixed-income development that includes 146 affordable and market-rate apartment homes. A community center will be built as part of this phase, which will include a community room, fitness center, computer lab and playground. Sixty-four (64) of the units are prioritized for former residents of 519 E. Main and Liberty. This is the third phase of redevelopment of 519 East Main/Liberty site and second to be supported by the $40 million Choice Neighborhoods Grant awarded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to DHA and the City of Durham in 2022.
"The opening of the Vanguard Apartments exemplifies the City of Durham's continuing commitment to providing safe, accessible and affordable housing for its residents," said Leonardo Williams, Mayor of the City of Durham. "I appreciate the partnership with DHA, Laurel Street, and other partners to deliver this new development for our Durham residents who deserve the best quality of living at an affordable price."
"Our ongoing partnership with the Durham Housing Authority reflects our shared commitment to create thriving mixed-income communities in downtown Durham," said Dionne Nelson, President and CEO of Laurel Street. "Thanks to our public and private partners, Laurel Street is committed to the redevelopment and growth of East Main Street into a thriving neighborhood," she added.
"Our team at Fifth Third is so proud to support this project that brings more safe, affordable housing to downtown Durham," said Lee Fite, Carolina's region president for Fifth Third. "The collaboration that leads to today's celebration takes many committed partners, and it's a testament to what public-private partnerships can achieve when all parties share a common purpose to create a more vibrant community for all."
The Vanguard and Dillard Street Apartments' total cost is $81 million. Major financing partners for the project include the Durham Housing Authority, the City of Durham, the North Carolina Housing Finance Agency, RBC Capital Markets, Fifth Third Bank, First Citizens Bank, JP Morgan Chase, the Community Development Trust, Cedar Rapids Banks and Trust, and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's Choice Neighborhoods Program.
About DHA
The Durham Housing Authority is the largest affordable housing provider in Durham, North Carolina. DHA has developed, owned, managed, and contributed housing to diverse communities of choice since 1949. DHA has completed the redevelopment of the JJ Henderson campus, in partnership with CCI/Florian and Laurel Street. The redevelopment of 519 E. Main and Liberty Street is expected to be completed at the end of 2028. Work is beginning on the redevelopment of two more DHA properties, Forest Hill Heights and Fayette Place. For more information about DHA, please click here.
About Durham Choice
Durham Choice is a partnership between the Durham Housing Authority (DHA) and the City of Durham to expand affordable housing opportunities in Durham and ensure that low-income residents can live in high quality housing in great neighborhoods. The focus of Durham Choice is on the redevelopment of two aging public housing properties in downtown Durham, 519 E. Main and Liberty Street Apartments. The program is supported by a $40 million Choice Neighborhoods Implementation grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. For more information about Durham Choice, please click here.
About Laurel Street
Laurel Street is a leading multifamily residential development company experienced in developing high-quality communities for individuals, families and seniors. Headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., the company has a current development portfolio of nearly 6,000 units. For more information about Laurel Street, please click here.
Redevelopment of 519 E. Main and Liberty Street Apartments
Overview
In 2021, the Durham Housing Authority (DHA) began the redevelopment of two aging public housing developments in downtown Durham, 519 E. Main and Liberty Street Apartments. The guiding vision for the redevelopment came from the DHA Downtown and Neighborhood Plan (DDNP), which was the result of a two-year community engagement effort to create a framework for the redevelopment of five DHA properties and two City of Durham-owned parcels in central Durham into vibrant, mixed-income communities.
In September 2022, HUD awarded a $40 million Choice Neighborhoods Implementation grant to DHA and the City of Durham to support the redevelopment of 519 E. Main and Liberty Street Apartments. With support from the HUD Choice Neighborhoods grant and additional funding from the City of Durham, DHA launched the Durham Choice program. Durham Choice is focused on three goals: constructing new mixed-income housing, improving the well-being of public housing residents through education, employment and healthcare assistance; and investing in the neighborhood around the Durham Choice site to help create a safe, desirable community. All original public housing residents of the site have the right to return to the redeveloped community.
The redevelopment plan for 519 E. Main/Liberty calls for replacing 214 public housing units with 538 mixed-income homes, including 538 affordable units and 190 market-rate units. In addition, the new development will offer a community center, multiple fitness centers, playgrounds, picnic areas, new commercial space along Main Street and a central park. Laurel Street and Development Ventures Inc., a subsidiary of DHA, are the project co-developers.
Housing Development
The site is being developed in four phases. Construction of the first phase was completed in May 2025. The final phase is expected to be completed by September 2028. The total development cost for the site is almost $200 million.
Phase 1: Vanguard Apartments
This phase began before the award of the Choice Neighborhoods grant. Construction was completed in May 2025. Vanguard offers 72 one, two and three-bedroom apartments for individuals and families.
Phase 2: Commerce Street Apartments
Construction of this phase began in July 2024 and is expected to be completed in September 2026. Commerce will consist of 172 units in two four-story buildings - an 88-unit senior building and an 84-unit family building.
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 in June 2026. Construction of the remaining 98 units will begin in the fall of 2025. This phase also includes the construction of the community center and the central park.
Phase 4: Main Street
Main Street will offer 148 apartments for individuals and families, along with retail and commercial space on the ground floor. Construction is expected to begin in 2026.
Financing Partners
- City of Durham
- Durham Housing Authority
- U.S. Dept. of Housing and Urban Development
- Cedar Rapids Bank and Trust
- Community Development Trust
- CVS/Aetna
- Fifth Third Bank
- First Citizens Bank
- JP Morgan Chase
- N.C. Housing Finance Agency
- Red Stone Equity Partners
- RBC Capital Markets
Vanguard and Dillard Street Apartments Celebration Invitation
September 9, 2025
10 AM
Special Guests
- Mayme Webb-Bledsoe
Board Chair, Durham Housing Authority - Dionne Nelson
President and CEO, Laurel Street Residential - Leonardo Williams
Mayor, City of Durham - Harry W. Miles
HUD Field Office Director - Adam Abram
Board Chair, North Carolina Housing Finance Agency - Rasheca Barrow
Vice President-Community Development Investment Director, Fifth Third Bank - Johnathan Black
Constituent Services Liaison - Valerie Foushee
Congresswoman - Bianca Rivera
Vanguard Apartments Resident - Anthony Snell
Interim CEO, Durham Housing Authority
Sponsors
- Laurel Street
- City of Durham
- Durham Housing Authority
- Durham Choice
- Forever Home, Durham - Affordable, Livable, Inclusive
- First Citizens Bank
- U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
- RBC Capital Markets
- North Carolina Housing Finance Agency
- Chase Bank
- J.P. Morgan
- Fifth Third Bank
- The Community Development Trust (CDT)
- Cedar Rapids Bank & Trust
Additional Media Coverage of Our Grand Opening and Groundbreaking
- CBS17 News - Durham ‘Building Communities’ with Grand Opening of Downtown Affordable Housing
- Spectrum News 1 - More Affordable Housing Opens in Durham with a New Look
- NC Newsline - A Redevelopment of Public Housing Takes Shape in Durham’s Downtown
- WRAL News - Durham Unveils New Downtown Apartments in Win for Affordable Housing
- abc11 News - Durham City Leaders Celebrate New Affordable Housing
- abc11 News - Durham Celebrates Big Step in Creating More Affordable Housing
- abc11 News - Durham Woman Lives Full Circle Moment with New, Public Housing: 'It's Been Awesome'
