St. Philip’s awards $300,000 in grants for affordable housing in Durham

October 14, 2026

St. Philip’s Episcopal Church has awarded $300,000 in grants to three Durham nonprofits working to preserve and expand affordable housing, along with an additional $11,228 to Urban Ministries of Durham to support services for unhoused neighbors.

Together, these grants will help low-income homeowners remain safely in their homes, expand housing for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, furnish new affordable apartments in Durham’s historic Hayti neighborhood, and provide essential daytime services for people experiencing homelessness.

The grants come at a time when affordable housing remains a pressing need in Durham. According to DurhamCares, about one-third of households in the city spend more than 30% of their income on housing, and only 27 affordable rental units are available for every 100 extremely low-income renters.

Where the funding came from

The funding originated with the Episcopal Housing Ministry, an independent nonprofit that supported affordable housing for more than 30 years. When the organization dissolved in 2024, it distributed its remaining funds among four area Episcopal churches, including $300,000 to St. Philip’s.

Earlier this year, St. Philip’s invited local nonprofits to submit proposals for affordable housing projects in Durham. A seven-member discernment committee reviewed the proposals, prioritizing projects where the funding could make an immediate difference.

“We were looking for projects where these funds could make a real and immediate difference,” said Bill Pierson, a member of the discernment committee. “The projects we selected are already underway or ready to move forward, and each addresses a different aspect of housing affordability in Durham – from helping people remain in their homes to creating new housing opportunities.”

Meet the grant recipients

$175,000 – Preserving Home, Inc.

Two images of the same house, one before repairs, the other after, featuring a new deck and other improvements.

This grant will support Preserving Home’s new Revolving Preservation Investment Fund, helping accelerate critical repairs for low-income homeowners in Durham.

Preserving Home often faces delays of 60 to 90 days between paying for repairs and receiving reimbursement. The grant will help bridge that gap, allowing repairs to move forward more quickly so homeowners can remain safely in their homes.

$75,000 – L’Arche North Carolina

An artist's rendering of L'Arche NC's two new Friendship Houses, 2-story tan-colored homes flanked by trees and greenery. "Friendship Houses" is written at the bottom along with L'Arche's logo.

L’Arche North Carolina’s Friendship House Community provides stable, long-term housing for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

In August, L’Arche purchased additional property on Northwood Circle to expand the community. St. Philip’s grant will help pay down the mortgage, freeing up resources for staffing and allowing the community to welcome more residents sooner.

$50,000 – Reinvestment Partners

Reinvestment Partners is transforming the historic Harriet Tubman YWCA building in Durham’s Hayti neighborhood into affordable housing.

St. Philip’s grant will furnish and equip 17 efficiency apartments for people earning less than 60% of Area Median Income. While approximately $5 million in other funding is supporting construction, this grant will provide furniture, appliances, and other essentials needed to prepare the apartments for residents.

$11,228 – Urban Ministries of Durham

Three volunteers sit at a welcoming table inside UMD's Hope Day Services Center while a third volunteer stands to the left; all four smile at the camera.

An additional grant, made possible by interest earned on the original Episcopal Housing Ministry funds, will support Urban Ministries of Durham’s new Hope Day Services Center.

The Center will provide showers, laundry, and supportive services for unhoused neighbors from 8am to 6pm, expanding access to essential resources during daytime hours.

St. Philip’s has a longstanding partnership with Urban Ministries of Durham, our neighbor in downtown Durham. We’re grateful for this additional opportunity to support its work.

Putting faith into action

“Our faith calls us to respect the dignity of every person, and these grants are one way we can live out that call in our community,” said the Rev. Maryann D. Younger, rector of St. Philip’s. “We’re grateful for the trust placed in us by the Episcopal Housing Ministry and especially grateful for the organizations doing this vital work every day to meet the housing needs of our neighbors.”