Durham closes Oakwood Park after all encampment residents accept housing

DURHAM, N.C. (WTVD) -- Everyone who had been staying at an encampment in Oakwood Park has accepted temporary housing and support services, according to the City of Durham.

City officials said outreach teams connected 18 people living at the park with interim housing, transportation and case managers who will help them work toward permanent housing. The city said every person accepted the offer of housing and voluntarily left the park.

Oakwood Park closed Monday while city staff assess the property and determine what work is needed before it can safely reopen as a recreational space for the community.

Officials said the closure will allow crews to clean the site, make repairs and address long-standing health and safety concerns. Temporary fencing will be installed around the park while the assessment and restoration work is underway.

The effort is part of Durham's broader strategy to reduce homelessness and connect people with stable housing. City leaders pointed to a recent Housing Sprint program in which 14 of 15 participants were successfully matched with housing.

The city said those who accepted assistance at Oakwood Park will be supported during the next Housing Sprint later this summer in hopes of achieving similar outcomes.

Durham recently approved $4 million in funding to support its Strategic Framework to End Homelessness, which aims to make homelessness "rare and brief."

City officials acknowledged that homelessness and encampments remain complex issues that generate differing opinions throughout the community, but said their goal is to balance safety, sanitation, compassion and public access to city facilities.

The city said it will announce an estimated reopening date for Oakwood Park once the assessment is complete and restoration plans are finalized.

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