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Tag: Ryan Hayes-Owens

  • Durham City Council approves $44 million bond for major redevelopment in Hayti

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    DURHAM, N.C. — City leaders, housing officials and longtime residents say the Fayette Place project site marks a major step toward rebuilding a neighborhood that has awaited revitalization for decades.

    What You Need To Know

    • The 20 acres of land has sat empty since 2009 after old buildings were torn down

    • Durham City Council approved a $44 million bond that will support the components for the mixed-use development

    • More than 250 affordable homes are planned to be built 

    • Construction for phase one can begin as early as next year


    For nearly 16 years, 20 acres in the heart of Hayti have remained empty, a silent reminder of the once-thriving Black neighborhood.

    But now, the Durham Housing Authority, a partner in the project, says the redevelopment will help reconnect the community with its roots.

    “There are efforts underway to reclaim the life of what once was there,” said Anthony Snell, interim CEO of DHA. “I’m not saying that we can reclaim all of it with this initiative, but what we are doing, certainly, I think is in the right direction.”

    The redevelopment plan includes over 250 affordable housing units, which would serve families earning 30% to 80% of Durham’s area median income. It’s a decision that project leaders say is critical at a time when housing costs are so high.

    Just blocks away, longtime Durham resident and business owner Angel Greene says she knows firsthand how challenging it has become to find affordable housing in the city. 

    Greene now owns a flower shop, Angel World of Flowers, that has served the community for nearly three decades. She took over the business earlier this year and says she wouldn’t be able to live in Durham today if she hadn’t purchased her home years ago.

    “If I hadn’t purchased my home years and years ago, I don’t know that I would be able to even live in Durham,” Greene said.

    Despite the challenges the community has faced over the years, Greene says she is optimistic.

    “I’m hoping in a few years, with the revitalization and all the money that’s been poured into this community, I’m really looking forward to the business booming,” she said.

    Snell says that is the goal, to rebuild Hayti in a way that benefits the people who have long called it home.

    “Give us an opportunity. I’m not saying that we have the panacea here,” he said. “We are not, going to be the one project that’s going to tilt the community back to its original state, but I think we are a critical piece of it because of our commitment.”

    DHA estimates the total cost of the development at $86 million, and officials say phase one of construction could begin as early as next year.

    Follow us on Instagram at spectrumnews1nc for news and other happenings across North Carolina.

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    Ryan Hayes-Owens

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  • Unused funds for HIV housing in Durham total $1.3 million

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    DURHAM, N.C. —  A Spectrum News 1 investigation reveals that over a million dollars meant to help provide housing to people with HIV and AIDS in Durham remain unspent, leaving local organizations and advocates frustrated and confused.

    What You Need To Know

    • Over $1.3 million in the Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS program, or HOPWA, funding from 2023-24 remains unspent in Durham, according to city records

    • The HOPWA program provides federal funding to states, cities and counties for housing assistance for people living with HIV and AIDS

    • Durham County ranks No. 5 in the state for total HIV and AIDS cases

    • City officials say staff changes, compliance issues and the government shutdown have delayed their ability to give out funds




    Since 2020, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, or HUD, has sent the city anywhere from half a million to a million dollars a year under the Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS, or HOPWA.

    These grants aim to help people with HIV and AIDS, ensuring they have secure, affordable housing, which researchers say boosts survival rates.

    However, records show funds from five years ago are still waiting to be used, and there’s currently no plan for how to use over $1.3 million received in the past two years. 

    CAARE-The Healing Center in Durham, once a bustling hub for community care, now sits mostly quiet.

    Executive Director Carolyn Hinton, who co-founded the organization, said the need for housing and health support hasn’t gone away, but funding delays have made it harder to keep up.

    “We want to continue to help build our community up,” Hinton said. “Our community consists of everyone, not just people with healthy lives.”

    CAARE and several other nonprofits applied for HOPWA funding from the city earlier this year. They waited for months before hearing back.

    When responses finally came in September, every request was rejected.

    A city memo obtained by Spectrum News 1 stated the applications were denied because the organizations “lacked sufficient organizational capacity to effectively administer their proposed programs.”

    “It has made a significant difference in my ability to have clients,” Hinton said. “Fees paid for housing and to locate… housing in the community.”

    According to 2024 data from the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, almost 1,900 people in Durham County are living with HIV, and more than 700 residents have been diagnosed with AIDS at some point.

    It makes Durham County the fifth-highest in North Carolina for total HIV and AIDS cases.

    Duke infectious disease fellow Dr. Hayley Cunningham, who helps leads a Coalition to End HIV in Durham, spoke up at the Oct. 23 city council meeting, urging the council to move the process along. The deadlines for using HOPWA money are approaching rapidly, unless HUD extends them, which is possible.

    The city acknowledges that it’s struggled to distribute the money efficiently. Officials cited a department reorganization, staff turnover, and what they called “notification delays.”

    Durham has requested extensions from HUD to spend leftover funds from 2020 through 2022, but HUD returned the request asking for more information, which the city says it’s now preparing. Those extensions, they said, are held up by the government shutdown.

    As organizations await clarity, advocates said the delays come with a high cost. 

    “My question to the city of Durham is, why are you creating a barrier for people to have a decent quality of life?” Hinton asked.

    The community and health leaders keep pushing city officials for info and to guarantee the money helps the intended recipients.

    Follow us on Instagram at spectrumnews1nc for news and other happenings across North Carolina.

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    Ryan Hayes-Owens

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  • Zebulon develops new fire and EMS headquarters to keep up with growth

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    ZEBULON, N.C. — As Zebulon’s population continues to soar, the town’s fire department is preparing for the future. A new 25,000-square – foot fire and EMS headquarters will soon be developed. 

    What You Need To Know

    • Zebulon’s population has surged more than 50% since 2020

    • The new fire and EMS headquarters will span 25,000-square-foot and include modern facilities

    • Construction is expected to be complete by 2027


    For decades, the Zebulon Fire Department has worked out of its Vance Street station, built in the 1970s. But as the town continues to grow, so does the demand for emergency services.

    But in a few years, that will change. Land just beside the town hall is the future home of Zebulon’s new fire and EMS headquarters, a 25,000-square-foot facility designed to support the growing needs of a rapidly growing community.

    “As our town grows, we don’t just grow in the center, we grow out, and it expands more and more,” Fire Chief Christopher Perry explained. “So, our new station is more strategically located.”

    Currently, two fire crews operate out of the same Vance Street house, which can affect response times. Perry says that spreading out resources will help efficiency and public safety.

    “You just get to a point where sometimes it’s more efficient to spread them out,” Perry explained. “That way… you can reduce response times to everybody.”

    The new headquarters will include modern amenities, drive-through apparatus bays for trucks and ambulances, public-access zones and storm-water wetlands, increasing the physical presence of first responders in the area, which Perry says builds community trust.

    Perry says that trust-building is as crucial as infrastructure in this project.

    “I think it helps us…it builds confidence in our emergency services system,” he said.

    Zebulon’s new fire and EMS hub will also bring a permanent home for WakeEMS, which hasn’t had a dedicated station in town for several years. The project is expected to be completed in 2027.

    Follow us on Instagram at spectrumnews1nc for news and other happenings across North Carolina.

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    Ryan Hayes-Owens

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  • ‘I’m incredibly grateful’: The power of plasma and the people it helps

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    RALEIGH, N.C. — At the Grifols Plasma Donation Center, people are rolling up their sleeves to donate.

    When chemically separated from our blood, plasma appears yellowish, carrying vital proteins and antibodies. It’s used to make medications for people with immune disorders and other serious conditions.

    What You Need To Know

    • International Plasma Awareness Week happens Oct. 6-10

    • Dorothy ‘Dottie’ Szypulski was diagnosed with hypogammaglobulinemia at age 13

    • She gets weekly infusion therapy, which can take about an hour and a half to complete

    • Her drug cannot be created synthetically


    Plasma is more than just what flows through your veins. It can be the difference between someone’s sickness and survival.

    That’s why thousands of donors come out each week to give a hand up.

    Among the dozens of donors at the center was Clyde Gomes, who says once he discovered how his donation could help others, he knew he’d want to help.

    “If you keep the bigger picture in mind, that you’re helping save lives, that’s a very easy thing to do,” Gomes said.

    For people like Dorothy “Dottie” Szypulski, these donations are essential. She’s battled with an immune disorder since childhood, spending much of her days inside hospitals.

    “From my earliest memories, I was hospitalized quite a bit. Colds and bronchitis usually became pneumonia,” she recalled. 

    At age 13, she was diagnosed with hypogammaglobulinemia, a rare condition that prevents her body from fighting off infections. To survive, she depends on plasma-based medication.

    “My drug cannot be created synthetically. It has to be made from human donation,” she explained.

    However, her time in the hospitals gave her much opportunity to indulge in her love for the arts, including quilting and writing. She spends a lot of time making quilts for children and other people in the hospital. 

    Smiling as she made a quilt, she said, “The best medicine for anything that ails you is to go help someone.”

    Aurelkys Campbell, manager of the donation center, says stories like Dottie’s are the reason she and staff work to spread awareness.

    “It is a huge impact to our community and our patients that rely on it. People like you and I, who get the common cold and unfortunately don’t have the antibodies to fight off infections, rely on plasma therapy just to have a normal life,” Campbell said.

    As Dottie reflected on her journey and the family she and her husband Ted have built, she couldn’t be happier.

    “I’m incredibly grateful. I didn’t expect to live,” she said. “And here I have grandchildren, which is absolutely the best thing about life.”

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    Ryan Hayes-Owens

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  • More affordable housing opens in Durham with a new look

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    DURHAM, N.C. — Some affordable housing units in the Bull City are getting a makeover.

    The Durham Housing Authority reopened the Vanguard Apartments and recently broke ground on the Dillard Street Apartments. It’s an effort to open up more affordable housing opportunities while also creating a new vision for what these communities can look like.

    What You Need To Know

    • Durham Housing Authority reopened Vanguard Apartments in May

    • The $200 million redevelopement project will replace 214 old unites with 538 mixed-income homes

    • 21 Vanguard units are set aside for former residents

    • The next phase, Commerce Street Apartments, is expected to open in 2026 with 172 units


    Inside her newly developed apartment at the Vanguard, Bianca Rivera says it’s finally setting in that this is her space to call home.

    “I’ve been sitting outside on the patio and just enjoying it,” Rivera said as she reflected on the new space she now shares with her 10-year-old son, Micah.

    Rivera and her son previously lived at Liberty Street Apartments before moving to Oxford Manor to live temporarily as the city made space for new developments.

     She says that she and her family can now feel safe.

    “There was trash all over the place, and me coming here and not seeing trash all over the place, not seeing drug activity or gun violence,” she explained, “so far, that has made a big change in our lives.”

    The Vanguard Apartments just reopened after a major renovation as part of Durham Housing Authority’s efforts to build what’s officials hope will be vibrant, mixed-income communities. 

    The $200-million redevelopment project began with two aging properties downtown.

    It’s a four-phase project. In all, 214 units will be replaced with 538 new homes, 348 being affordable and 190 being market rate. Twenty-one units are prioritized for former residents like Rivera.

    Interim CEO of DHA Anthony Snell says this project and others to come reflect the importance of building safe, beautiful and affordable homes for people no matter the socioeconomic status.

    “I know people think it’s innovative and it’s a model, right? We are just building communities that are totally inclusive of the entire community,” Snell said. “And so, that’s where we think we’re going to have our success.”

    The need for more affordable housing is urgent.

    In a recent National Low Income Housing Coalition report, it found that there are over 330,000 extremely low-income households in North Carolina. For every 100 of them, there are only 41 affordable rental homes available.

    For Rivera, the move is more than just about having a new space. It has allowed her to dream big.

    “It has helped me grow into wanting more and bigger and better living in the future,” she said.

    The first phase, the Vanguard, officially opened in May with 72 new homes. The next step is the Commerce Street Apartments, where construction began in July 2024. It is expected to open in 2026 with 172 units for both seniors and families. Phases three and four will add nearly 300 more units for individuals and families.

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    Ryan Hayes-Owens

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  • Volunteers remember 9/11 on Patriot Day

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    RALEIGH, N.C. — Patriot Day marks the 24th year since Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. It serves as a day of remembrance for the nearly 3,000 lives lost.

    What You Need To Know

    • Patriot Day marks the anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks  

    • Carry The Load is a nonprofit organization that aims to preserve the memory of the day through community service 

    • The project welcomes volunteers to honor veterans 


    More than 50 volunteers gathered Thursday at the Raleigh National Cemetery, as part of the Carry the Load National Day of Service & Remembrance for military and first responders who died during the Sept. 11 attacks.

    Among the group was volunteer Carlos Santiago, a volunteer with UBS who says the day carries deep personal meaning. He was living in Manhattan during the attacks and says the twin towers were part of his everyday view.

    “The towers was actually my view for every single day. I was right across the street from it,” Santiago said.

    The years after the attack were difficult for this New Yorker to navigate. Now in North Carolina, he still chooses to remember the friend he lost.

    “Every day this day comes… I think about him,” he said.

    Others, like Angelia Fajri, were there to honor the service members who followed in the years after 9/11. Her son, Justin, was inspired by the attacks to join the military right out of high school.

    “Justin always liked the military and anything that has anything to do with honoring the flag, honoring the country,” Fajri said.

    Organizers of the event say Patriot Day is not only a time of remembrance for those who died on 9/11 but also a chance to reflect on the generations who’ve served before and since.

    “It’s just a way of individually remembering them and ensuring that they’re not forgotten as people,” said John Hanken, a Carry the Load ambassador.

    Santiago said that being among the volunteers today, he is reminded that we are stronger united as a country.

    “There are people here that probably have different beliefs than I have, right? But we’re all working together, right? For a better cause. And that’s what America is all about. That’s what it needs to be all about.”

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    Ryan Hayes-Owens

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  • Former Durham hotel transformed into affordable housing

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    DURHAM, N.C. — Have you ever driven by an empty building and wondered what it used to be used for? All across the country people are getting resourceful to try to make something new out of older buildings.

    A former extended-stay hotel near Research Triangle Park now has a new purpose. The building has been converted into six dozen affordable housing apartments, now called The Pines Apartments, as a way to help people who both live and work in Durham.

    What You Need To Know

    • A former extended-stay hotel near research Triangle Park has been transformed into 72 apartments

    • Rent ranges from $950–$1,100 per month with utilities included

    • Durham currently has the highest fair market rent in North Carolina at $1,872 for a two-bedroom unit



    For new tenant Teddy Pugh this new space means more than just a place to live, it’s a space to bond with his grandson.

    “Everything’s brand new. The kitchen, all the appliances, the bathroom. You know, it’s nice having a bathroom nobody’s used but you,” he said.

    According to North Carolina Housing Coalition, Durham has the highest fair market rent in the state, averaging at $1,872 for a two-bedroom apartment.

    Pugh said affordable housing isn’t just about shelter, it’s about stability. 

    Reinvestment Partners, a stakeholder in the project said the goal is to create workforce housing for residents. 

    “We’re really trying to make it workforce housing for Durham residents who want to live here and work here. So, it’s a big endeavor. In a moment in Durham where we’re seeing a lot of displacement for folks,” said Robert Polanco, director of real estate with Reinvestment Partners. “So, we’re excited to have this opportunity.”

    Across the country more hotels are being converted into affordable housing. A study from the National Association of Realtors says the rising costs of construction and labor are fueling this push, as families struggle to afford everyday life. 

    Peter Skillern, CEO of Reinvestment Partners, said this project is proof it can work. 

    “This makes it possible to have affordable rents. And again, it has no subsidy. This is just what the market will bear. For a group of folks who’ve got choices, where they live, but not infinite choices, this is a good, affordable, safe community,” Skillern said.

    While not big, these units range from 313 to 420 square feet. And rent is between $950 and $1,100 a month, including utilities. That’s well below the statewide average of $1,883 according to Zillow.

    The apartments are designed for individuals or small families earning around 60% of the area’s median income, which is around $81,000 according to Data USA.

    For Pugh he said it can’t get much better then this.

    “If you’re single and you can live in an area like this, you can’t find no better in Durham,” he said.

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    Ryan Hayes-Owens

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  • Raleigh Housing Authority launches new department to support families in need

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    RALEIGH, N.C. — Finding a new home and making the transition can be challenging for families in public housing.

    The Raleigh Housing Authority has launched a new department, Resident Services, with a goal to better support them.

    What You Need To Know

    • More than 46,000 residents live in public housing across North Carolina, with an average household income of just over $15,000 a year

    • The Raleigh Housing Authority’s new Resident Services Department helps families transition to stable housing while connecting them to health care, food assistance and community resources

    • Finding enough available units and working with landlords who accept housing vouchers is a challenge

    • The authority is creating a self-sufficiency program focused on career and personal development to boost long-term economic independence



    Washing dishes in your own kitchen or having enough space for your children to play is something that some may take for granted, but for families like Tequita Jarman’s, it’s the biggest blessing.

    Jarman struggled with homelessness for years but found stability through the housing authority.

    “Them girls in they own rooms and they own spaces and they created their own spaces within their space? I like and love that,” Jarman said.

    The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development reports more than 46,000 residents live in public housing in North Carolina, with the average household income just over $15,000 a year. For many families, navigating the housing system is overwhelming, and access to support can be limited.

    That’s why the Raleigh Housing Authority has launched Resident Services, a new department designed to guide families through difficult transitions and connect them with critical resources.

    Relocation manager Sharon Sneed says her team focuses on helping families move into affordable, safe housing while offering additional support.

    “We are a team that comes in to support our families in transitioning from one location to the next… helping in supporting them, ensuring that they find housing that is affordable and decent and safe,” Sneed said.

    The department also works to connect residents with health care, food assistance and community programs, aiming to improve stability and quality of life. But the challenges are steep — from a lack of available units to landlords unwilling to accept housing vouchers.

    “When you have a family with the large size, sometimes that’s kind of hard for them to locate housing that they want, that they can afford, or if they can afford it with the voucher. Sometimes you have trouble finding the … landlords that will accept the assistance,” Sneed said.

    Despite these challenges, Jarman says it’s important to keep moving forward.

    “It’s going to be hard. It’s going to make you cry. You’re going to have moments where you had to cry when the kids ain’t looking, you know? But you gotta keep pushing,” she said.

    The housing authority says it is continuing to look for community partners, landlords and properties to expand its efforts. The agency is also developing a new program to help residents build self-sufficiency through personal and career development.

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    Ryan Hayes-Owens

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  • Blink 2024 dazzles both sides of the Ohio River with expanded light displays

    Blink 2024 dazzles both sides of the Ohio River with expanded light displays

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    NEWPORT, Ky. — BLINK, a biennial event, celebrated its milestone expansion across the river, featuring dazzling light installations and immersive art experiences, drawing thousands of visitors to explore its magic.

    What You Need To Know

    • BLINK one of the world’s largest public art shows, expanded over the Ohio River from Cincinnati into Newport for the first time

    • There are more than 80 light displays and installations spread across 30 city blocks

    • An estimated 2 million people are expected to attend the four-day event

    • BLINK runs from Oct. 17 to Oct. 20


    This year’s theme, “Let it Shine,” emphasizecommunity, art and creativity, as over 80 light displays and installations are spread across 30 city blocks. The festival officially kicked off with a vibrant parade as families and friends gathered to celebrate along the Ohio River. 

    Among the many participants in the parade was Dos Corazones Film Production, a small, local Cincinnati company eager to make its mark. “I think it’s special because it’s so diverse—not just the parade but all the performances, installations, and art around the city,” said Gabriel Martinez, a participant in the parade.

    One of the many installations was made by, “The Adventurer, organized d by Mike Demari and Kevin Kunz, who brought multiple artists to create an animated photo opportunity stand. Demaria said with so many installations, you may have to come back to see everything. “This is Newport on the Levee. There’s maybe 15 things here. Take your time and look at everything. There’s even the bridge… this is one of those events you have to see,” said Demaria.

    According to organizers, more than two million people attended the 2022 show. They expect approximately the same number to attend the four-day show.

    Festival attendee Chris Pinelo has been a fan since its early days. “This tradition goes all the way back to ‘Luminosity’. We love projection mapping, we love the artistry, and the fact that Cincinnati is an arts destination,” Pinelo shared as he danced with his family during the parade.

    For Pinelo, BLINK is about more than just the art—it’s about creating lasting memories with loved ones. “My boys are always going to remember this, just like I have memories from my childhood with my parents. Experiences like this are irreplaceable.”

    As families strolled through the streets, admiring the illuminated art displays, Demaria emphasized that BLINK isn’t just about the lights; it’s about bringing the community together. “This is one of those events where it just shows how cool and connected the community can be,” he said.

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