JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Habitat for Humanity is building new homes on the city’s Eastside as it addresses the high demand for affordable housing.
Volunteers with HabiJax were in the Long Branch neighborhood throughout the week as the construction of five new houses continued.
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Chris Folds is the chief community partnerships officer with HabiJax.
He says the work being done is vital as there is a need for thousands of new places to live at affordable rates.
“Jacksonville has an extremely urgent need for affordable housing,”. Folds said. “There are just not enough units of housing that people can afford in this community.”
To clear up any confusion, people buy homes with the help of HabiJax. But Folds says the new homeowners get a mortgage price that is below market value, they spend less than 30% of their monthly income on housing, take courses through the program, and help with the construction of their new home in most instances.
“It means they are saving out on their housing costs,” Folds said. “That means they can get better healthcare and make great choices for their kids and education, and not have to compromise because of money. They can save and manage their credit. It is catalytic for their quality of life to have an affordable place to live.”
Talonna Bell knows all about that.
She bought, closed on and moved into her new home on the Northside with the help of Habijax in January.
Bell is studying to earn a degree in Information Technology with plans to pursue a career in cybersecurity.
“I love it,” Bell said about her new house. “As someone who is in school, it could be a lot on me. HabiJax made it to where I can pay my bills, and it be more affordable. I went in, not knowing exactly what I was getting into as far as credit and maintenance on a home. They had classes that informed me of what I was getting myself into.”
Bell says she is thankful to become a homeowner and is enjoying adding her special touch to her new house.
“One of my bedrooms I did too like an IKEA closet,” she said. “It is pretty open where my clothes are. I am also getting back into a gardening. I started a garden. I can do that now since I have a home rather than an apartment. It is a small space. I now have three bedrooms to do anything I would like to do.”
According to HabiJax, construction on all five houses being built in Long Branch is expected to be done within the next 90 to 120 days.
Dozens of volunteers, including faith leaders, business owners and former HabiJax workers, used their hands and hearts to help build build for the soon-to-be new homeowners.
“Home is the key to a brighter future,” said Tolli Love, who is the chief development officer for Habitat for Humanity International in Atlanta. “Home is the key to connection. Home is where we make our dreams, make our moments. I am excited for the families when they first walk in the door and imagine what their future looks like, knowing that their children can grow up in a safe home. Knowing that they are not cost-burdened anymore by the pricing of the houses. They can really spend time and invest time on themselves and their families is for generations to come.”
Love came to town this week to be a part the program’s annual Leaders Week and the national “Home is the Key” campaign.
“Every time I get to be on a build site, it is so inspiring,” Love said. “We have all kinds of volunteers from homeowners, to corporate partners, to individuals who come out here to make sure that everyone has a safe, decent place to live.”
“I hope that they love their home,” Bell said of those who will end up buying the five homes on the city’s Eastside. “I think it is incredible that they are starting to build more homes in different areas, providing families with generational wealth because it is an investment. A long-term investment. I hope the families actually enjoy it.”
“It is an area where we think will be a good investment for people,” Folds said. “It is on the upswing. The Eastside, Long Branch [neighborhood has the] John Love Early Learning Center [and] The Corner at Deva Store not far from here. There are good things that are happening in this area and we think it would be a great place to call home and for people to raise their kids.”
HabiJax plans to build at least 35 houses throughout different parts of Jacksonville in 2025.
Last fiscal year, it built 46.
