JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – In a move to address the pressing need for more affordable housing in Jacksonville, City Councilman Jimmy Peluso is introducing new legislation aimed at transforming eight vacant, city-owned properties into affordable single-family homes.
The properties are located in the 32206 ZIP code, within District 7, which covers Springfield, Brentwood and Out East.
Affordable housing remains a significant concern for many Jacksonville residents, with numerous individuals forced to rent due to the high cost of homeownership. Councilman Peluso said he frequently hears these concerns from his constituents.
“We have a lot of people in this city that are forced to be renters because they cannot afford a home,” Peluso said. “There are so many people here who will be paying way more than a third of their income on rent or on a mortgage. And that’s not just unsustainable, but it’s not how you build a good a good community and a good city that works for everyone.”
The proposed legislation focuses on revitalizing eight city-owned properties, many of which are near the Phoenix neighborhood. The properties are in poor condition. When News4JAX went to see them, at least one still had a “condemned” sign in front.
Their addresses are: 1247 Dyal Street, 1322 Harrison Street, 1305 Bridier Street, 0 13th Street East, 719 5th Street East, 1130 12th Street East, 1442 Florida Avenue, and 1152 3rd Street East.
“We’re going to take those properties and hand them over to a joint organization that’s run by Historic East Side Community Development Corporation and Lift Jax,” Peluso said. “So, they’re creating a third new entity.”
The goal is to turn the vacant properties into livable homes for families in need, ensuring they fit seamlessly into the neighborhoods they are part of.
“Whenever there’s historic properties that we can rehabilitate, someone who loves Historic Preservation always wants to do so,” Peluso explained. “But if it’s not possible, at least build something that the community wants to see.”
Peluso hopes this initiative will serve as a model for similar projects in the future. He emphasized the importance of using the budget process to support projects that promote homeownership and provide resources for community development.
“We need places that are built up close to jobs, close to medical services, close to commercial activity,” Peluso said. “That’s what we’re trying to build, and that’s what I want to see.”
If the legislation is approved, renovations and rebuilds on the properties would need to be completed within 1-2 years, providing a timely solution to the city’s housing challenges.
As Jacksonville continues to grow, initiatives like this are crucial for ensuring that all residents have access to affordable housing. The proposed legislation represents a step forward in addressing the city’s housing needs and supporting community development.
