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Braswell Properties’ Eviction-Bound Durham Families Pray For Christmas Miracle; Ask Mayor’s Help

Bibi Miller
Braswell
The tenants of Braswell Properties and their allies made six demands of Durham Mayor O’Neal’s administration and of Braswell’s owners at a press conference on Dec. 20, 2021. (Photo: Bibi Miller)

DURHAM, NC – This holiday season, a cry for mercy rings throughout the City of Durham. Families in a small Walltown housing complex, Braswell Properties, are faced with eviction by New Year’s Eve. For decades, they have lived in squalid conditions under a negligent, Scrooge-esque landlord: Vinston Braswell. Now, he’s kicking them out. The tenants are predominately people of color. Among them are senior citizens, people with disabilities, and young children. One woman has lived there for 45 years. The community held a press conference Monday (Dec. 20) at 1017 North Buchanan Boulevard, the location of the complex.

The tenants and their allies made six demands of the O’Neal mayoral administration and of Braswell.

The six demands are as follows:
  1. WE REFUSE TO GO TO A SHELTER
  2. THAT ALL MOVING COSTS BE PAYED [sic] BY VINSTON BRASWELL WHO HAS SOLD OUR HOMES WITHOUT ANY WARNING
  3. THAT NEW OWNER GIVES US ENOUGH TIME TO MOVE TO HOMES THAT SUIT OUR FIXED INCOME NEEDS, THE NEEDS OF OUR SICK AND DISABLED, THE NEEDS OF OUR PUBLIC TRANSIT USERS, AND OUR CHILDREN
  4. THAT VINSTON BRASWELL WILL REIMBURSE US FOR REPAIRS WE HAVE MADE OURSELVES AND THE RENT HIKES
  5. FOR THE CITY TO MAKE DIRECT REPAIRS TO THE BUILDINGS TO MAKE THEM SAFE AND SUITABLE PLACE TO LIVE WHILE WE FIND NEW HOUSING
  6. WE NEED RESPONSES FROM THE LANDLORD AND THE CITY BY DECEMBER 22ND
Braswell Properties’ tenants were given notice on Nov.30 demanding they move out by Dec. 31. The complex is located at 1017 North Buchanan Boulevard. Photo: Bibi Miller)

The meeting was beset by noise interferences. A few minutes in, the outdoor AC unit turned on. Then, a car alarm was triggered. The blares succeeded in smothering the tearful pleas of a soft-spoken tenant. Organizer Lily Lasher consoled her. I went to identify the source of the alarm, a white Ford Fusion. Soon after I got there, though, the alarm mysteriously turned off.

The residents maintain that they have been good tenants. “I’ve been here 18 years and never missed rent,” said one. Allegedly, Braswell recently hiked rent payments despite planning to sell the complex. “It’s not right. It’s just not right,” said an elderly female resident, who began to weep. Her son is in the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease. He’s apparently lucid enough to know he and his mother may soon be homeless. “Mama, let’s go! Let’s go,” he tells her. 

The families claim that for years Braswell has ignored their begs for relief and basic repairs. “I done killed 15 rats,” bewails a male resident. His neighbors chimed in, complaining of broken windows, robberies, and damaged roofs and walls. Unit 1017 sits below an embankment, so muddy sludge seeps indoors. There are children and grownups who have spent most or all of their lives in such Dickensian conditions.

Braswell Properties’ owners have ignored tenants’ begs for relief and basic repairs. Unit 1017 sits below an embankment, so muddy sludge seeps indoors. (Photo: Bibi Miller)

State law requires landlords to provide fit premises for their tenants.

It should be noted that Braswell’s company, B Well LLC, is a joint venture between Vinston and one Varon Braswell. According to State records, Varon Braswell, not Vinston, is the LLC’s manager and registered agent. B Well LLC owns all but one unit in the complex: Unit 1023 is owned by Shawn Braswell. Durham County still lists him as its owner, even though he passed away in June 2020. According to an obituary, he was Vinston’s son and Varon’s brother.

State records suggest a checkered past for the brothers Braswell. Varon Braswell, who is possibly the true landlord, has been convicted of larceny and drug trafficking. His late brother committed more serious crimes: assault on a female (on two separate occasions), and second-degree sexual offense.

The Braswells’ business portfolio has a similarly dubious track record. The inactive Braswell Properties, Inc. was twice suspended by the Department of Revenue (DOR) for noncompliance with State law. Additionally, the Secretary of State notified Varon Braswell on three occasions of his violation of the NC Business Corporation Act. B Well LLC has received similar warnings.

Braswell Properties are within a stone’s throw of several places of worship. The surrounding Walltown area is a community constellated by churches. Steeple and spire and the watchful eye of the Almighty peek above a lush oaken canopy, gazing down upon Buchanan Boulevard. “We know who God is with now,” the residents proclaim.

Though I am not a Christian, I cannot help but wonder – what would Jesus do?

Trinity Avenue Presbyterian Church has created a fund to assist the families displaced by Braswell Properties – donate online here.