A Durham Dad’s Vision for Housing for Adults With Disabilities

View This Email In Your Browser

Good morning, readers.

Durham resident Dave Curro is working to turn a worry—that, someday, he won’t be around to care for his adult son, Bret, who has a developmental disability—into a reality that will help Bret and others like him. 

Curro dreams of building the Midtown Housing Coalition, an affordable housing development that will consist of 26 tiny homes surrounding an activity center and event space. The homes will be designed specifically to give adults with developmental disabilities and veterans with disabilities an independent life. 

The proposed site for the project is located in North Durham, adjacent to Bethany United Methodist Church. Curro says he has an agreement with Habitat for Humanity to build the first six homes on the property and that, after gaining its support, he’s in negotiations with the church for the surrounding lots.

Once a contract is reached with the church, Curro plans to sell the lots to Habitat for Humanity at a cost, and Habitat will then start building on the property. 

While the project seems a bit tenuous at the moment, Curro is determined to make his vision happen and is working to build community support. He hopes to meet with Durham mayor Leonardo Williams soon to ask the city to waive various taxes and fees for residents of the complex and to secure permission to bypass the rules governing how many tiny homes he’s allowed to build on church property. 

“If you don’t have a target, you’re not ever gonna hit it,” Curro says. 

Read the story from our newsroom partners at The 9th Street Journal here, and have a good Monday.

—Jane

---

---

Durham

We spoke with Durham native Ryan Bethea about his unique oyster harvesting operation. 

Durham Public Schools is asking parents to supplement their children’s bus transportation under the district’s rotational plan until January 17. 

Crystal Mangum, the woman who accused three Duke lacrosse players of rape in 2006, says, nearly 20 years later, that she fabricated the accusations.

Wake

ICYMI: Greyhound won’t be a part of downtown Raleigh’s RUS Bus station when it opens next year. 

Raleigh-based real estate company Highwoods Properties is working to save Fayetteville Street. 

Orange

Carrboro’s town council has a public hearing open on a proposed subdivision at 904 Homestead Road through January 7. 

North Carolina

Here are the INDY stories that stood out in 2024. 

Gov. Roy Cooper and Gov.-elect Josh Stein filed a lawsuit to block the GOP-led law that strips the governor and other council of state officials of powers.

---

If you’d like to advertise your business to the Daily’s 30,000-plus subscribers, please contact [email protected]

---