McDougald Terrace residents to remain in hotels for now

DURHAM, N.C. (WTVD) -- Durham City Council got an earful Tuesday night from residents at McDougald Terrace.

They sounded off to council members after learning they'll be spending even more time in hotels.

McDougald Terrace Resident Council President Ashley Canady represented the frustration of residents as she vented to city council members after hearing the news that residents would continue to be displaced.

"Durham is nothing. Y'all got us eating macaroni and cheese cups every day. I challenge all of y'all to eat that every day. We're fed up and we're tired." Canady said before walking out.

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The city council meeting continued but the simmering residents weren't done -- shouting "we're fed up and we're tired," repeatedly outside chambers.

"I should be able to go cook a home-cooked meal for my son," said Shimey Harvey. "I should be able to tell him: it's time to cut the playstation off, it's time for bed, let's get ready for school."

Tension has been mounting as residents spend their third full week inside hotels instead of being in their homes.

"It's just sad," one woman sobbed. "It's just sad. It's just too much. It's just too much. I don't want to be in a hotel with my baby."

The public housing crisis wasn't on the agenda for the city council meeting but several council members brought it up.

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"We will not allow anyone to go back into conditions that are unsafe that have been painted over, that have been rush jobs and what that means for the future I do not know," Mark-Anthony Middleton said.

"I just want to make sure we're letting folks in the community know that we are still here," said DeDreana Freeman.

Mayor Steve Schewel said he planned to talk to residents individually after the meeting but he was repeatedly interrupted.