Affordable Housing: PA played a leading and formative role in establishing the Durham Affordable Housing Coalition. PA successfully fought for the City Council to pass three major housing bonds to improve affordable housing in Durham.

Crest Street neighborhood: When City and State leaders sought to push the Durham Expressway through mostly African American neighborhoods, PA helped organize a City-wide coalition (1978-80). The coalition included NC Legal Assistance, students, concerned citizens and residents of the threatened community who worked to save the Crest Street neighborhood by rebuilding it near the VA medical center. PA led the political campaign that resulted in a $10 million settlement for the Crest Street community (negotiated by Legal Services attorneys). This settlement was the first time in U.S. history that highway relocation funds were used to benefit an entire neighborhood instead of individual homeowners. The eventual redevelopment of the Crest Street neighborhood won national awards.

Food tax reduction: Since 1984, PA has supported the elimination of North Carolina’s regressive food tax that hits hardest those who can least afford it. PA helped achieve the 1998 reduction in the state’s food tax. PA has been a political base for Representative (and PA member) Paul Luebke, a leader in the General Assembly for tax fairness. PA also advocated the elimination of the local share (City and County) of the food tax.

Impact fees: PA was one of the earliest voices in the Triangle calling for impact fees on new development.

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