The Basic Need for Shelter: 2020's Insufficient Measures

DataWorks NC traces property owners in Durham that mass-evicted in 2020. While tenants face unprecedented hardship, landlords and property managers have not ceased eviction proceedings. As assistance for tenants comes too little and too late, many landlords on the other hand have succeeded in securing government support. Some notable Durham property owners received support from federal Paycheck Protection Program loans passed by Congress to support small businesses through the COVID-19 pandemic. Durham has no shortage of landlords and developers seeking to secure profits while tenants face the pandemic, but COVID-19 has exposed several heavy hitters. Many of the owners of these complexes are large scale real estate investment firms looking to generate profit by maximizing rental revenue and minimizing expenses. As such, we can trace a clear line between global speculative capital investment and the loss of safe and affordable housing in Durham County.