If elected, how would you ensure that older adults who live in Durham are included in zoning decisions, particularly individuals from communities that have been historically marginalized?
Meaningful inclusion of older adults in zoning decisions requires both structural changes to how we engage the community and intentional outreach to historically marginalized communities who have often been excluded from these processes.
First, I will push for expanding notification requirements for zoning cases, especially in areas where older adults may not have reliable internet access or use social media to stay informed. This means broader mailing radii, multilingual notices, and partnerships with community organizations that already have trusted relationships with older residents.
Second, I’ll advocate for holding more community meetings in accessible locations at times that work for older adults – not just evening meetings that may be difficult for people with transportation challenges or health concerns. This includes partnering with senior centers, faith communities, and neighborhood associations to bring zoning discussions directly to where older adults already gather.
For historically marginalized communities, this means working with organizations like the Durham Committee on the Affairs of Black People, El Centro Hispano, and other trusted community groups to ensure information reaches residents who may have been excluded from planning processes in the past. Many older Black residents have experienced decades of urban renewal and displacement decisions made without their input, and we must rebuild that trust through consistent, respectful engagement.
I also support expanding the city’s use of small area planning as a tool to give neighborhoods more say in their future development. While not legally binding, these plans help establish community priorities that can guide zoning decisions and give residents more agency in shaping change in their neighborhoods.
Finally, I’ll push for more accessible meeting formats, including interpretation services, large-print materials, and clear explanations of technical zoning language so that all residents can meaningfully participate regardless of their background or physical limitations.
Do you support requiring developers to build accessible, affordable housing? We are aware of the state-level limitations on local municipalities.
Yes
If elected, how would you use the City’s contracting process to incentivize the expansion of affordable and accessible housing for older adults and people who have disabilities?
Durham’s contracting process represents a major public investment, and those dollars should reflect our community values—especially affordable and accessible housing for older adults and people with disabilities. For city-owned properties, I will push for contracts that go beyond minimum ADA standards, incorporating universal design and aging-friendly features such as accessible restrooms, improved lighting, wayfinding, and seating. When partnering with developers, I want stronger requirements that ensure affordable housing includes units designed for aging in place—wider doorways, ramps, and bathrooms built to accommodate changing mobility needs. Durham should also create a reliable system to track housing with long-term affordability protections. Too often, these units are lost; city contracts should include the right of first refusal so Durham can preserve them. Carver Creek Apartments is a model—without city and county intervention, seniors and residents with disabilities would have been displaced. We should also expand the MWBE program to reward contractors who bring expertise in accessible design and who employ workers with disabilities. This approach builds local skills, broadens opportunity, and keeps our commitment to inclusion. In addition, development rules should encourage both affordable and market-rate projects to incorporate accessible units. Accessibility should not be seen as a special accommodation—it is simply good design that benefits everyone. I support housing that serves people across a full lifespan, including multigenerational models. Growing up in Milwaukee, duplex “Polish flats” allowed families to live across generations under one roof. In Durham, Weaving Water Co-Housing offers a different, while ADUs provide another option. Through tools like the Durham Affordable Housing Loan Fund, I will push for financing criteria that value accessibility and aging-friendly design, ensuring Durham builds housing that works for all of us.
Durham currently has at least 1 public school building that is not being used. Considering the examples of New Bethel Homes and the Veranda at Whitted senior housing communities, do you support renovating former schools into housing for older adults?
Yes
Because of factors like low salaries, lack of professional advancement, the growing aging population and burnout – Durham has a shortage in people who are working in home health. One of the objectives in the City of Durham’s current strategic plan is to build a talented and competitive workforce. If elected, what will you do to support current home health workers?
Durham’s home health worker shortage shows how undervalued care work is and how systemic barriers prevent this workforce from thriving. As co-founder of Durham Living Wage, I know supporting workers means meeting immediate needs while also building long-term career pathways.
Much of home health in North Carolina is carried out by unpaid family caregivers, which is a crisis we must acknowledge and address. For paid workers, I will push the city to use its economic development tools to strengthen the workforce. That includes supporting training and certification programs through partnerships with institutions like Durham Tech, creating stackable credentials that lead to advancement.
I’ll also advocate for pilot programs that provide wage supplements or benefits, modeled after similar efforts in childcare. While the city can’t directly employ all home health workers, it can support them through smart use of resources. Transportation is another major barrier. Expanding fare-free buses and creating targeted assistance would help workers reliably get to their clients.
The city should also partner with Durham County and local healthcare systems to push for higher wages and better working conditions, including support for organizing efforts. In addition, I want to see the city’s minority business development programs used to support home health cooperatives and worker-owned models that give caregivers more control and stability.
Finally, we need to recognize the emotional toll of care work. I will champion partnerships with local organizations to provide mental health support and wellbeing resources for those who care for others every day. Care work keeps our community functioning. Durham has the opportunity to value these workers not just with words, but with policies that make the job sustainable.
What is your vision for the City to support older adults so that they can age in-place safely and with dignity? If elected, how will you support organizations that are currently providing resources to older adults, including advocacy?
My vision for aging in place centers on creating neighborhoods where older adults can maintain independence, connection, and dignity throughout their lives. This requires coordinated action across housing, transportation, healthcare access, and community support.
Housing is fundamental to aging in place. I support expanding programs like the city’s Minor Repair and Substantial Rehabilitation Programs that help older homeowners maintain their properties, like repairs or improvements like ramps and converting showers. I also support existing property tax relief programs for longtime residents on fixed incomes. And I will advocate along with our state legislature to make state programs like the Property Tax Homestead Circuit Breaker program easier to access.
We must diversify our housing options to include more intergenerational housing, accessory dwelling units that allow family caregiving arrangements, and housing cooperatives designed for aging. My experience growing up in Milwaukee, where multi-generational housing was common, showed me how housing design can support family care systems.
Transportation access is critical. I’ll continue advocating for fare-free buses while pushing for more accessible transit stops, expanded paratransit services, and partnerships with ride-sharing programs like the Senior Food Shuttle, which address transportation, food, and social isolation.
The city should strengthen partnerships with organizations already serving older adults rather than duplicating services. This means robust funding for groups like Senior PharmAssist, Partners in Care, and other organizations that provide essential support. I’ll advocate for multi-year funding commitments that allow these organizations to plan effectively and retain experienced staff.
I also support Durham’s Age-Friendly Community initiatives, including better sidewalk maintenance, improved lighting for safety, accessible public spaces, and programs that combat social isolation. Green infrastructure improvements that address flooding and heat – issues that disproportionately affect older adults – are also essential.
The federal bill H.R. 1 (Big Beautiful Bill) will significantly reduce access to essential resources that people in Durham need including SNAP, Medicaid and affordable health insurance through the Health Insurance Marketplace (Obamacare). If elected, give 2-3 examples of how you will support Durham’s collective well-being given that there will be less access to essential needs like food and healthcare.
Federal cuts to SNAP, Medicaid, and health insurance subsidies directly threaten Durham families’ ability to meet basic needs. These programs are lifelines, especially for older adults on fixed incomes, people with disabilities, and working families already struggling with rising costs. When support disappears, the impacts fall hardest on our most vulnerable neighbors—forcing impossible choices between food, medicine, and care.
The city cannot replace these programs, but we can prepare our systems to respond. That means deepening partnerships with food banks, community health centers, free clinics, and mutual aid networks. We must be honest with residents about what resources will remain, while working to expand local alternatives where possible. I will advocate for Durham to track and publicly report on how cuts affect our residents, both to hold federal representatives accountable and to guide our local response. We must also join with other cities to push collectively for restored funding and share strategies to protect our people.
Locally, this requires stronger investments in three areas. First, food security: we should increase city support for food banks, pantries, and mobile distribution programs, while exploring public land use for community gardens and urban agriculture. Partnerships with local groceries and restaurants can help reduce food waste and expand access to fresh, culturally relevant food.
Second, health infrastructure: Durham must expand capacity at community health centers, grow the ranks of community health workers, and strengthen mental health and substance abuse services. Partnerships with Duke and others can also expand charity care programs. I’d also like to see more partnership with groups like Dementia Inclusive Durham.
These local responses won’t replace federal programs, but they will build resilience and protect Durham residents.
