Secretary Donovan in Jacksonville

Neighborhood development and the need for sustainability. Conversations at Edward Waters College. [Photo Courtesy of City of Jacksonville]

HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan had an intense one-day visit to Jacksonville on April 4, 2012 to hear the housing and economic development needs of the community. Along with Jacksonville Mayor Alvin Brown, and HUD Southeast Regional Administrator Ed Jennings, Secretary Donovan participated in an early morning roundtable at the Beaver Enterprise Center, hosted by Wealth Watchers and joined by local leaders and other HUD approved housing counseling agencies. Topics discussed included the recent mortgage settlement and the need to keep supporting housing counseling agencies due to their success in helping struggling homeowners.

Also in the morning, the voices of homeless providers and stakeholders were heard at the Florida State College Advanced Technology Center. Congresswoman Corrine Brown also joined local leaders to discuss the needs of the homeless veterans in the Jacksonville area, and new creative ways to partner with several organizations to join forces and provide needed services in a coordinated approach.

Afternoon events included a discussion about Public-Private partnerships to improve economic development, a tour of downtown and the New Town Success Zone, and finally a community meeting regarding neighborhood development, and planning for sustainability. This last event took place at Edward Waters College.

Local leaders discuss benefits of public private partnerships with Secretary Donovan and Regional Administrator Ed Jennings Jr. [Photo Courtesy of City of Jacksonville]

The needs of homeless veterans were discussed at the Advanced Technology Center. From left to right HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan, Jacksonville Mayor Alvin Brown, President of Florida State College at Jacksonville Dr Steven Wallace, and FL Congresswoman Corrine Brown. [Photo Courtesy of City of Jacksonville]

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