Jacksonville, Florida is located in Duval County which is in the Northeast corner of the state with south Georgia on its northern border and the Atlantic Ocean on the eastern border. The economy draws on health and insurance industries, government and tourism. The City of Jacksonville and Duval County were combined in 1968 to form the Consolidated Government. Downtown Jacksonville is built on the banks of the St. Johns River and referred to as the "Bold New City of the South."
The City of Jacksonville Consolidated Plan sets forth a strategic vision for housing and community development in the county. It includes a one-year Action Plan covering fiscal year 1995-96 which appropriates approximately $13.2 million in CDBG, HOME, ESG, and HOPWA funds. The majority of the activities in the Action Plan, which are to be carried out during the next year (October 1, 1995 - September 30,1996) are considered to be high priority in addressing the obstacles to meeting underserved needs in the community and fostering and maintaining affordable housing.
The Consolidated Plan combines input and coordination from citizen's comments, citizen's advisory committees, neighborhood organizations, city agencies and non-profit housing and social services agencies. All meetings and public hearings were held in accessible locations such as schools and community centers. Citizens were notified through public advertisements in local papers 10 days prior to the hearings. Four (4) public hearings were held by the jurisdiction in February and one in June 1995, encouraging all affected citizens to participate.
The Planning and Development Department, Community Development Division, has a Community Development Advisory Committee (CDAC) which is composed of seven (7) community representatives and six (6) neighborhood delegates. The City of Jacksonville, Office of the Mayor, has also established a Citizens Planning Advisory Committee within six Planning Districts of the City. These groups along with numerous service providers and other civic organizations participated in consultation.
MAP 1 depicts points of interest in the jurisdiction.
Jacksonville, Florida, according to the 1990 census, has a population of 672,971 which is up 18% from 1980. The population is expected to increase to 780,533 by 2010. The fastest growing group in the county is the elderly. The majority of Jacksonville's population is white (73%), 24 percent African American, and 3 percent other minorities. In December 1990, median income was $28,592.
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.
Federal, State and metropolitan governments are three of the top four employers in the metropolitan statistical area. Governments and a variety of service industries dominate the local economy. Unemployment levels have remained well below the national average.
Two important housing needs are identified in the Consolidated Plan: increasing the affordability of housing and rehabilitating the existing housing stock. Affordable housing assistance will be provided by homeownership assistance for first time homebuyers and rental assistance. Housing conditions can be improved through home rehabilitation loans for homeowners. Other priorities are providing housing for special needs residents and establishing a service link for the homeless that goes beyond provision of food, shelter and clothing.
Of low income owner households (incomes 50 percent of median or less), large families have the greatest housing need, followed by minority households, small families, and the elderly. Among renter households in the same income category, large families again have the greatest need, followed by minority households.
Between 1990 and 1993, 19,326 building permits were issued for all types of housing units in the city. The supply of housing in Jacksonville has been increasing steadily to meet the needs of the growing population. According to the 1990 Census there were 284,673 housing units in Duval County. Among the dwelling unit types, single-family households accounted for almost two-thirds or 62.5 percent of the total housing units. Multifamily units (duplexes, triplexes and quadruplexes, and five or more unit structures) represented 28.9 percent of the housing stock in Jacksonville. Mobile homes accounted for 8.6 percent.
Much of the single-family housing built in the last few years is beyond the price range of lower-income households. Among the different categories of very low- and low-income households with needs for housing assistance, high priority was assigned to large families that are overcrowded or that have members with disabilities, because our greatest demand (for three or more bedrooms) comes from this group. High priority was also assigned to small families that are overcrowded, that have members with disabilities, or have a housing cost burden of greater than 30% of total income.
Acquisition or substantial rehabilitation of existing larger units, or new construction was given priority to provide affordable units needed by large families. Emphasis is being placed on promoting homeownership opportunities for public housing residents, possibly through conversion of portions of the public housing stock to homeownership.
Emergency shelter is the primary point of intake for homeless men, women, youth, and families, including victims of domestic violence. Shelter residence is very limited - usually two to three days for single individuals. A strong network of shelter providers has developed linkages with the transitional housing providers so that single individuals and families in need of supportive housing are identified and appropriately referred.
Strategies for a continuum of care have been developed in Duval County. The continuum of care system combines the strengths of each applicant agency to create a seamless system of supportive services that have the expanded supportive services model where each individual is at the central focus, or "hub". The myriad of services required by each individual will be assessed by case management and referred to the various service provider agencies, that will serve as the "spokes".
Out of the 1900 homeless individuals and families counted in 1995, 1053 were on the street or in area shelters. As of September 1995, Duval County will have 688 emergency beds but will only meet 65% of the need. A critical need exists for permanent supportive housing environments for homeless and non-homeless with special needs, such as persons with disabilities and persons with HIV/AIDS.
The Jacksonville Housing Authority (JHA) currently operates 8,865 units; 3019 conventional public housing units and 5,846 Section 8 units. The public housing units are currently 31.8% vacant. Only approximately 5.4% (320) of the Section 8 vouchers and certificates remain open for placement. There are sixteen public housing complexes currently managed by the JHA, and 303 scattered sites. The unoccupied units are either out of inventory for rehabilitation or are waiting for placement.
Of the 5,846 Section 8 units, there are 1,096 Section 8 moderate rehab, 508 project based 4,242 tenant based certificates and vouchers provided to 5,327 elderly households and family units. There are 320 unused rental certificates and vouchers.
As of May 1995, JHA had gained 190 and lost 92 units since the Comprehensive Grant Program (CGP) Needs Assessment conducted in 1992. The public housing complexes active at the time of the CGP assessment increased by fourteen units. There was a loss of 92 scattered site units during the same time period.
The remaining public housing complexes have varying degrees of physical deterioration. Ages of these buildings range from seventeen to fifty-six years old. The scattered site units were acquired in the early 1980s. JHA plans to renovate 1,356 units and one day care facility during the 1995 fiscal year.
There are 1,227 applicants on the JHA public housing waiting list and 2,472 applicants on the Section 8 waiting list. Priority categories include applicants who are involuntarily displaced, pay in excess of 50 percent of their income for rent, or are living in substandard housing.
The City regulations and policies which affect the housing market are positive in nature. The zoning, building and subdivision codes, as well as other government initiatives, have created a housing market situation which is very conducive to the production of housing at the lowest possible cost. There are no significant negative policies causing barriers to affordable housing in Jacksonville. It is noted, however, that the increased number of rental complexes are catering to the moderate income population which creates a problem for low and very low income families seeking affordable rent.
Many actions taken to further fair housing are ongoing processes. A few of the activities which are ongoing within the jurisdiction are to: undertake fair housing enforcement, such as complaint processing activities; promote efforts to enact substantially equivalent fair housing laws; set aside funds to be used specifically for fair housing purposes; provide minorities opportunities to occupy assisted housing inside and outside of minority and low-income concentration.
Three projects within the jurisdiction's public housing inventory were found to have lead-based paint hazards. One complex has been demolished and the jurisdiction has received funds for abatement for the others.
The City's Health Department currently tests all of its "client" children and all of its Medicaid eligible children on a yearly basis for lead poisoning. The jurisdiction has tested children throughout the various complexes and none were found to have lead levels high enough to be classified as dangerous. Notices have also been posted in all housing developments, and the jurisdiction has the head of each household sign a certification that they have received and read the federally provided lead-based paint pamphlets.
At the present time (fiscal year 1994), lead-based paint does not
appear to be a significant problem within the jurisdiction.
The strategic plan covers the consolidated jurisdiction of the City of Jacksonville/Duval County, bringing together needs and resources in a coordinated housing and community development strategy. The strategy is developed to achieve the following statutory goals, principally for low-, very low- and extremely low-income residents: provide decent housing, create suitable living environment, and expand economic opportunities.
The strategic plan is developed in accordance with the following statutory goals: elimination of slums and blight, elimination of conditions that are detrimental to health, safety and public welfare, conservation and expansion of the nation's housing stock, expansion and improvement of the quantity and quality of community services, better utilization of land and other natural resources, reduction of the isolation of income groups within communities and geographical areas, restoration and preservation of properties of special value, alleviation of physical and economic distress, and conservation of the nation's scarce energy resources.
These activities represent a reasonable attempt to stimulate revitalization that will lead to accelerating community improvement through initiatives and collaborations of private businesses, community organizations, neighborhood residents, and public agencies. Housing and Community Development projects will leverage, at every opportunity, human, financial and material contribution by other public and private entities.
This five-year strategic plan focuses on those neighborhoods where the City can realistically address the needs based upon estimated allocations of money and staff time. To make a significant impact with allocated funds during the five-year strategic planning period, the City will:
Within the targeted neighborhoods, non-housing activities will include the following:
The City of Jacksonville has taken major initiatives which are designed to reduce unemployment and increase economic opportunities for its residents.
Through its Chamber of Commerce, the City has just completed an Economic Development Program, which will be implemented over the next five years. This plan is designed to both attract new businesses to the City and to help existing businesses expand. One of the key goals of this public/private partnership is to reduce unemployment and to increase the number of high paying new jobs.
As an important component of this economic development effort the City through its community college supports a Small Business Development Center (SBDC) which teaches potential business people how to successfully start-up a new company. As a major new initiative the college also provides "customized" job training programs that train local residents (most of whom are unemployed or under employed) to take specific jobs at new or expanding enterprises.
Housing and community development programs are administered by the public housing authority, local government, neighborhood/community organizations and the corporate community, utilizing resources generated by a variety of federal, state and local public and private agencies/organizations. Federal sources include HOME, HOPWA, CDBG and ESG funds. Florida provides funds through programs such as the State Housing Incentive Program (SHIP) and the State Apartment Incentive Loan (SAIL) program. Locally, the Duval County Housing Finance Authority, private lending institutions and corporations, foundations and non-profits organizations provide money and/or in-kind contributions to housing and community development efforts.
Coordination of all housing and community development strategies is carried out through the activities of both public and private entities, as well as regular communication among agencies/organizations, and residents involved in functionally similar projects and programs. Coordinating bodies include the Citizen Planning Advisory Committees (CPACs), the Jacksonville Housing Roundtable, neighborhood organizations, local educational institutions and the corporate community. These organizations meet monthly, and City departments dealing with similar functions communicate with these entities regularly to share feedback and update strategies based on latest information.
MAP 5 depicts points of interest, low-moderate income areas, unemployment levels, and additional proposed HUD funded projects.
MAP 6 depicts points of interest, low-moderate income areas, unemployment levels, and additional proposed HUD funded projects.
MAP 7 depicts points of interest, low-moderate income areas, unemployment levels, and additional proposed HUD funded projects.
MAP 8 depicts points of interest, low-moderate income areas,
unemployment levels, and additional proposed HUD funded projects.
The City of Jacksonville One-Year Action Plan outlines the proposed use of approximately $13.2 million in CDBG, HOME, HOPWA, and Emergency Shelter Grant funds. These funds will be spent on an array of activities, including:
The City's Northwest Area has the greatest need for both public services and housing as demonstrated from demographic and economic characteristics which were compiled from the 1990 census and other local data. This area also includes most of the City's oldest built environment; therefore, public facility, infrastructure, accessibility, historic preservation, economic and community development, and planning needs are greatest here as well. By targeting portions of the area of interest incrementally over time, these needs will be addressed in a systematic manner as public and private funding, community volunteer involvement, in-kind contributions, and other resources permit.
The lead agency administering and monitoring the numerous planned projects funded by federal grants will be the City of Jacksonville, Community Development Division of the Planning and Development Department.
Overall priority in housing needs is placed on homeownership. Highlights of the jurisdiction's housing goals for the first year include increasing the private production of affordable housing, increasing the supply of affordable rental units, preserving existing housing stock, lowering overall housing costs by reducing energy costs, ensuring no net loss of Assisted Housing Inventory, and improving management of public housing.
