The Secretary visited HabiJax's Fairway Oaks site and called it a "national model" of practical and functional affordable housing. The uniquely manicured community is made up of very impressive homes constructed with sweat equity from the homeowner and work of volunteers. The community blends flawlessly alongside renovated public housing units and is part of a prized Jacksonville neighborhood.

Secretary Martinez with Stephen Edmonds, President of the Northeast Florida Builders Assn. and Gary Garczynski, President Elect, National Association of Home Builders

Fairway Oaks is a joint partnership of Habitat for Humanity, the Jacksonville Housing Authority and the Northeast Florida Builders Association. Addressing a crowd who came to see him at Fairway Oaks, Secretary Martinez announced that President Bush's proposed 2003 HUD budget will almost triple funding the for Self-Help Homeownership Opportunity Program (S.H.O.P) - to $65 million - for self-help housing projects great and small. The additional "sweat equity" funds will triple the Department of Housing and Urban Development's current $22 million for such programs, and allow HabiJax and other self-help housing activists to create or expand successful programs.

The Secretary tours a computer learning center at Fairway Oaks Apartments	The Secretary addresses Lindsey Terrace residents and staff

Habitat for Humanity's HabiJax is called the most productive Habitat chapter in the country, having built more than 500 houses since its founding in 1989. HabiJax, the City of Jacksonville, and the Jacksonville Housing Authority all shared in Secretary Martinez's praise. Their team efforts maximized the use of HUD funding and fully used the organization of volunteers and the "sweat equity" of prospective homeowners to build homes for low-income families.

Martinez spent much of a festive but rainy January 25th touring HUD funded projects including Lindsey Terrace and The Oaks at Durkeeville. Lindsey Terrace is a project of Vestcor Corporation and the Jacksonville Housing Authority. Durkeeville is a townhouse development recently built by the housing authority that includes shops and meeting facilities for residents.