Villages of Hayti | Gilbane Breaks Ground in Durham, NC

Durham, NC (May 13, 2026) – Gilbane Development, in partnership with The Durham Housing Authority (DHA) and Durham Community Partners, comprised of Harmony Housing Affordable Development, and F7 Development and guidance by the Hayti Community Advisory Committee (CAC), today announced the groundbreaking on the first phase of Villages of Hayti. A multiphase affordable housing community, Villages of Hayti will bring a 252‑unit, fully affordable housing development to Durham’s historic Hayti neighborhood.

With the groundbreaking, construction now begins on one of Durham’s most significant affordable housing investments in the City’s recent history. Located on the site of the former Fayette Place, vacant for over two decades, the first phase of the long-awaited reimagining of the property is expected to be completed by the end of 2027.

“Villages of Hayti is more than just housing: it’s an example of how we can come together to transform vacant, underutilized land into a thriving community for the residents of the Villages,” said Yarojin Robinson, Senior Vice President of Gilbane Development. “This tremendous milestone is a testament to the hard work of many partners, and we are so proud to help deliver truly affordable homes for Durham.”

Villages of Hayti, structured as a 100% Low‑Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) development, will provide much-needed deeply affordable housing for the community, with eligible households earning between 30% and 80% of Area Median Income (AMI). In accordance with NCFHA, 26 units are specifically designated as mobility‑impaired units for people with disabilities or individuals experiencing homelessness.

As a property previously owned by the Durham Housing Authority, the approximately 20-acre site will include a mix of 81 one‑bedroom, 113 two‑bedroom, and 58 three‑bedroom apartments across nine garden‑style walk‑up buildings.

A 4,000‑square‑foot community building will anchor the site, offering a multipurpose room, computer and office center, and exercise room. Outdoor amenities include a 1,700‑square‑foot playground, shaded seating areas, and a centrally located covered picnic pavilion.

The site’s location (less than 1.5 miles from downtown Durham and a quarter mile from a Go Durham bus stop) ensures residents have convenient access to transit, employment, education, and cultural amenities.

Upon completion, Villages of Hayti will provide stable, affordable housing for the community, contributing to the long-term economic and social health of the surrounding neighborhood. More information about the project is available at https://durhamcommunitypartners.com/villages-of-hayti.

About Gilbane Development

Gilbane Development is the real estate development, financing, and ownership arm of Gilbane, Inc., a 155-year-old family-owned company. With over $11.8 billion in development and more than 25,000 units of housing completed/underway, Gilbane Development’s projects incorporate every aspect of real estate including: multifamily housing (market rate apartments, student housing, and affordable housing); mixed-used developments; healthcare facilities; K-12 schools; government facilities; and many types of facilities delivered through public-private partnerships. To learn more, visit gilbaneco.com.

About Durham Housing Authority

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.

Development Ventures Incorporated (DVI) is a non-profit instrumentality of the DHA established in 1985 to develop mixed-income affordable housing as a complement to DHA’s conventional public housing program. Its mission is to develop, in conjunction with the public and private sectors, affordable housing in the City of Durham.

For more information, visit: www.durhamhousingauthority.org

About Harmony Housing Affordable Development Inc.

Driven by a passion for creating and preserving affordable housing in our nation’s most vulnerable communities, Harmony Housing Affordable Development Inc. is an industry-leading, mission-driven affordable housing developer and developer partner that specializes in construction, rehabilitation, repositioning, and recapitalization of projects. To date, the team has developed approximately 18,000 apartment homes with another 4,800 in various stages of completion in 10 states. The group’s mission is to create meaningful and significant impacts on communities by helping to provide low-wealth households with decent, safe, and affordable housing. For more information, visit www.HHAD.org.

About F7

F7 International Development, a Triangle-based, black-owned business, was founded in 2002 with the sole purpose of improving the community and surrounding areas by developing and creating infrastructure; building and constructing commercial properties; and general contracting new residential housing as well as rehabilitating existing homes all to improve and empower the communities F7 serves. James (Monte) Montague, President of F7 International Development and son of Southeast Raleigh, is an Urban Community Property Developer with over 22 years of expertise in low-income communities, and is focused on underdeveloped areas, affordable housing and business office spaces.

About BLWall Consulting

BLWall Consulting LLC, is a Black female-owned business, located in the Triangle and is a trusted leader in public outreach and community engagement. Bridget Wall-Lennon, President, started the company in 2013, and has over 30 years of experience in public and private sector program development, implementation, and management. BLWall Consulting brings a wealth of experience across diverse sectors, including public policy and involvement, construction and economic development. BLWall is intentional about fostering meaningful connections between public agencies, private entities, and the communities they serve. For more information, BLWallConsulting.com.