Jacksonville's 1995 Consolidated Plan constitutes a strategic vision for housing and community development. The purpose of the Consolidated Plan is to streamline the HUD grant application process and to ensure that funding decisions are made in the context of the city's Comprehensive Development Plan. This summary offers city residents a quick overview of Jacksonville's housing and community development needs, the 5-year goals of the consolidated plan, and the strategies and actions for carrying out those goals in 1995.
This plan states that the first years actions will be providing tenant assistance for low- income housing, housing rehabilitation assistance for low-income homeowners, and tenant assistance for handicapped and developmentally-disabled.
Citizens participation is an integral part of the consolidated planning
process. A citizen participation plan has been developed and implemented by the
City of Jacksonville that meets HUD requirements. The City invited citizen
groups to participate in planning meetings, to submit written comments and to
review the draft of the completed Consolidated Plan. Representatives from the
Jacksonville Housing Authority, Jacksonville Care Channel and Pathfinders Inc.
also participated in the development of the Consolidated Plan. Only one comment
was received during the public meetings and this comment had no direct
relationship to development of the Plan. These meetings provided the City with
insights concerning the priorities that needed to be addressed in the City's
five year strategy.
Jacksonville a town of 29,101 in the 1990 census, is located a few miles
northeast of Little Rock in Pulaski County Arkansas.
The town's population is growing slowing, only 5.5% over the last 10 years. Part of the Little Rock Air Force Base is located within the corporate limits. The areas adjacent to the Air Force Base have actually lost population, reflecting a reduction of activities on the base. The population of the town is aging as shown in the 1990 census. Between 1980 and 1990 all population groups under the age of 25 decreased. Those over 25 increased. The median age grew from 23.8 years in 1980 to 27.2 years in 1990. While the overall population barely grew, the number of households grew by 14%, accompanied by a significant rise in the number of single head of households. According to city estimates, there are 573 sub- standard housing units out of the total of 10,890 housing units (about 5 1/4%).
Renters - 16% of the elderly, 64% of 2- 4 member households and 65% of 5 or more member households have housing cost which exceed 50% of their gross income. Households with large families (5 or more) suffer the greatest housing cost burden. However, of those experiencing some form of housing related problem (over crowded, cost burden, and physical defects) the elderly are the highest percentage with some form of housing problems.
Owner households - The extremely low income group (0- 30% of the SMSA's median income) experience cost burdens, overcrowding or physical defects.
Of the city's 10,890 housing units, almost 70% are single family attached or detached housing, about 10% are mobile homes or trailers, and the rest are apartment units. Rental units make up a little over 54% of the housing market. There has been an overall increase in the number of vacant housing units, with a greater increase in rental vs. owner occupied for sale units. At least part of the increase is due to a reduction persons employed at Little Rock Air Force Base.
Various conflicting estimates have been given for the number of homeless persons in Jacksonville, ranging from 97 to 107 homeless persons. The Jackson Care Channel (which provides limited services for the homeless population within its jurisdiction) reported assisting 107 persons with temporary shelter and aid in 1994.
The Jacksonville Housing Authority (PHA) currently has a vacancy rate of 3%. the waiting list for applicants to the PHA is open and has never been closed. At this time there are 101 individuals on the waiting list.
The city has assured, through its housing policies, that no formal local public policy barriers exist to housing occupancy and availability.
According to the 1990 Census, there were 10,890 housing units in the City.
Of this number, 8,364 housing units (76.8%) were built before 1980 and 43% of
this figure were low and moderate income households. Estimates based on high
correlation of low to moderate income with older housing units yields
approximately 3,600 housing units that would be occupied by families of these
income groups. To date, the County Health Department has reported no cases of
lead-based paint poisoning in Jacksonville.
The goals and priorities of housing are: provide tenant assistance for low income households, provide housing rehabilitation assistance for low income homeowners, and provide tenant assistance for physically impaired and developmentally disabled individuals.
The goals and priorities of the community development component are; use CDBG funds to the maximum benefit of low and moderate income persons, eliminate slums and blight, alleviate problems stemming from insufficient water facilities, provide down payment assistance to low income homeowners who could not otherwise buy a house, provide technical and financial assistance for rehabilitation and conservation of homes - especially for low income homeowners, provide street and sidewalk improvements to meet City standards for width, design and construction, minimize displacement of site occupants and provide technical and financial assistance to relocate displaces.
The priorities and programs outlined in the 5 and 1 year plans are focused on delivering affordable housing to areas of the City containing individuals who are at the greatest risk of suffering from lack of housing support. The programs are designed to assist targeted income groups in high risk neighborhoods within the City. The assistance is designed to economically supplement and benefit individuals either directly through financial support or through programs which improve citizen's living conditions and overall environment. The housing efforts outlined in the consolidated plan are intended to improve the poverty status of the participating individuals.
HOME from the State of Arkansas, through the Arkansas development Finance Authority, CDBG Entitlement Funds, Section 8 certificates and vouchers, and existing 202, 811, and public housing from the resource pool are to be used.
Requirements set forth by the Plan, coupled with the Jacksonville mayor's
task force on substandard and dilapidated housing in the City, have promoted a
greater level of policy coordination towards housing issues than has been
standard in the past.
The City is committed to continuing its coordination effort between the
other entities receiving HUD funds, private and non-profit organizations and
Metroplan. Increased cooperation and information sharing can only serve to
improve the city's ability to provide its citizenry with a substantial base of
affordable housing and housing related services.
| Housing Rehabilitation - Single family residential | $ 40,000 |
| Johnson Park Street Construction (acquisition and planning) | $ 77,000 |
| Ray Road Project (acquisition) | $ 40,000 |
| Pike Avenue Reconstruction - Elm St. to Wilson St. | $ 80,000 |
| Lee Mac Drive Paving | $ 10,000 |
| Sunnyside Water Project | $ 40,000 |
| Home Buyers Assistance Grants | $ 10,000 |
| Project administration | $ 62,000 |
Provide low income tenant assistance - HUD rental certificates/vouchers, HUD comprehensive grants for public housing, HUD Section 236, HUD Section 221(d)(3), HUD Section 8/202
Provide low income owner rehabilitation assistance - HUD CDBG and Arkansas Finance Development Authority HOME funds
Tenant assistance for developmentally disabled and handicapped - HUD HOME program, HUD Section 811 program.
| Housing Rehabilitation | City-wide |
| Johnson Park St. Improvements | From chosen St. to Ray Rd. |
| Lee-Mac Drive Paving (multi-year) | From Stanphil to Southeastern St. |
| Down payment assistance | City-wide |
| Ray Road improvements | Ray Rd. |
| Pike Avenue reconstruction | From Elm to Wilson St. |
| Sunnyside water project | Scattered Sites in LMI Areas (Jacksonville) |
| Rental certificates, Comp Grant, Section 236, 202/8,221(d)(3) & 8/202 | City-wide |
| HOME funded Programs & Section 811 projects | City-wide |
The Community Development Department of the City of Jacksonville is the lead agency for all CPD funded and related housing activities. Its staff includes a Community Development Director, an Administrative Assistant, and a Housing Specialist. The CD Director and Administrative Assistant have been in place since Jacksonville became an entitlement city.
The Arkansas Development Finance Authority aides local governments by financing homes and apartment buildings for low and moderate income families. It also works with local banks and mortgage companies to provide low interest loans for eligible families, builders and developers. They have provided State HOME funds directly to the City of Jacksonville, and have been involved in the implementation and administration of those funds.
Other entities who play significant roles in the development of the consolidated plan, and/or the implementation of activities to accomplish goals include:
MAP 2 depicts points of interest and low-moderate income areas.
MAP 3 depicts points of interest, low-moderate income areas, and minority concentration levels.
MAP 4 depicts points of interest, low-moderate income areas, and unemployment levels.
Tony Ply
Community Development Director
P. O. Box 126
Jacksonville, AR 72078
PH: (501) 982-3146
