Engage Communities

DataWorks has truly been a blessing for gaining knowledge of what goes on in Durham and how some decisions are made, especially in my community.  Recently I asked for property tax data showing the disparities between neighborhoods in Durham when it comes to paying property taxes.  The impact of this information was alarming, but was not a surprise.

DataWorks has supported the Bragtown Community Association New Developments Committee with data analysis and visualization that has allowed us to go toe-to-toe with big developers, push back against common narratives around housing and gentrification, and fight for more affordable housing and equitable development. In meetings with City and County Planning Commissioners, City Council, and the Mayor, we were able to pair DataWorks analysis with the lived experiences of our community members to make a compelling case that has changed both the way that the city does engagement around development, what city staff and elected officials believe is possible with regards to affordable housing, and what developers know they must bring to the table to have a successful proposal.

DataWorks empowers residents and communities with the research and mapping tools needed to resist displacement and self-determine prosperous futures. For the last two years, the organization has supported the Walltown Community Association’s organizing efforts around the redevelopment of Northgate Mall by analyzing surveys, facilitating focus groups and planning retreats, and making visible through maps the aspects of neighborhood life most critical to our cause (ex: property taxes, median income, home sale prices). As Walltown residents lobbied local elected officials to help preserve community wealth, the DataWorks team worked with us to show the historical connection between communities that were redlined in the 1930s and those experiencing dramatic rises in property taxes due to gentrification. As we have advocated for affordable housing, it was DataWorks’ insightful research that allowed us to highlight the disparity between what is affordable based on HUD’s AMI standards and what is affordable based on the median income in the Walltown community. More than just providing us with tools, they have been invaluable thought partners in determining how best to leverage data and maps towards our organizing goals.

I have worked with DataWorks in my capacity as a member of the Bragtown Community Association over the past couple of years.  I am continually amazed by the generosity of this organization, who has done so much to support our group in being able to more clearly understand the nuances of our current housing crisis in Durham, and the specific situation here in our neighborhood. I deeply appreciate the careful attention DataWorks offers to the experiences of residents who have been most impacted by histories of housing inequity and current residents who are impacted by gentrification . The rigorous attention to detail regarding relevant data combined with a dedication to working in support of and in solidarity with community groups while allowing impacted community members to “steer the ship” of a specific project is truly remarkable. Access to information about housing is truly life changing in that it illuminates how this system works and gives impacted residents tools to address potential harm by being able to see the bigger picture more clearly. I LOVE DataWorks and admire the dedication of the DataWorks team and the integrity of the work they do. Thank you!