Florida Construction News staff writer
Jacksonville Human Rights Commission is hosting a Fair Housing Expo on Apr. 11.
The theme for the free event is: The State of Fair Housing – Working to Make Housing a Human Right is being held at the Jacksonville Main Public Library starting at 10 a.m.
Discussions will tackle the future of fair housing and how we can make housing a human right for all.
“Come join us for an important discussion on fair housing at the Jacksonville Main Public Library. We’ll be exploring ways to make housing a human right,” organizers said in a statement. “This event aims to raise awareness and promote positive change in our community.”
To book a spot, click here.
Also, the City of Jacksonville has launched a new program aimed at expanding affordable homeownership opportunities for very low-income families.
The SHIP Single-Family Development Program will initially build 10 homes and provide eligible buyers with downpayment assistance to purchase them. The program uses State Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP) funds to give short-term construction loans to nonprofit developers, who will sell the homes to buyers earning at or below 50% of the area median income of $35,900 annually for a single-person household or $51,250 for a family of four.
The loans will be repaid in full at closing, allowing the city to recycle the funds for future housing projects. Officials say this “revolving loan approach” will maximize the impact of SHIP funding while supporting ongoing production of affordable units.
“We’re excited to increase affordable homeownership opportunities in Jacksonville and create new pathways for families to build generational wealth,” Mayor Donna Deegan said. “Thanks to our Housing and Community Development Division for creating this innovative program and to the City Council for approving it.”
Travis Jeffrey, chief of the city’s Housing and Community Development Division, called the program a “practical, sustainable strategy for building more housing that is affordable,” adding that it will create a continuous pipeline of new homes for families who need them most.
The program is expected to expand Jacksonville’s affordable housing supply, promote homeownership, strengthen neighborhoods through new construction, and reinvest public funds into future development.
Funding was approved by Ordinance 2026-0065-E in February, allocating $2 million for the program, including $1.5 million in construction loans and $500,000 for downpayment assistance. The city is currently finalizing a construction request for proposals.
