JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Jacksonville Housing Authority is working on bringing more affordable housing to several neighborhoods in the city.
News4JAX went on a tour with Cheron Corbett Waller, the agency’s new CEO, and showed us what affordable housing projects are in the works in two historic neighborhoods.
“We want our area to look good. We want something here that we are going to be proud of,” Corbett Waller said.
One of the stops was in historic Eastside, the site of the Downtown East apartments— once known as Franklin Arms.
Alice Nelson, who grew up in this neighborhood, said these buildings are an eyesore.
“It’s dilapidated. It was previously drug-infested. It is just a disgrace to the community,” Nelson said.
In 2022, News4JAX reported these apartments were deemed a nuisance.
Now, between JHA, LIFT Jax and a co-developer the Housing Authority is hoping to partner with, these buildings are expected to be torn down and turned into a more than 100-unit complex with more affordable housing within the next few years.
“This will give individuals an opportunity to have somewhere to call home. Somewhere that they are proud of. Somewhere where they can enjoy their families and enjoy the community,” Corbett Waller said.
That’s just one of several different areas Corbett Waller said she wants to see redeveloped and flourish.
Another area is the Oaks of Durkeeville Community, which the city originally redeveloped in 1999 with 208 different apartments.
Now, JHA aims to add a grocer with fresh and healthy food to eliminate this part of town from being considered a food desert.
That’s welcomed news for Clara Buckholtz, who’s called this community home since the complex opened more than 25 years ago. She raised her four kids there and recovered from a brain aneurysm in 2008.
“That’s wonderful. That is a blessing for all of the people to help them and move up. It is wonderful that they are doing that for everyone. Not just me, but for everyone, and I have appreciated what they have done already out here,” Buckholtz said.
Corbett Waller has been on the job for four months and said expanding affordable housing — while enhancing self-efficacy and economic opportunities for people — is a core mission.
“Affordable housing is a key critical need, not just here in Jacksonville, but throughout the entire U.S. There is a serious need in regards to reducing housing insecurities for families who are in need,” Corbett Waller said.
Moreover, five houses in Durkeeville are opening by the beginning of October for families to live in. These are called the Daisy Homes Community on Hart and Grothe Streets.
Families will be able to rent the homes for about $1,490 a month through a housing voucher program after the city gave JHA $1 million to make this happen.
The families are being selected from a wait list next month.
“It is making so many differences in the lives of those who are in need. We find each and every day, we see families who walk through the doors of the Jacksonville Housing Authority that are in need of housing. This is an opportunity for us now to push forward in partnership with the City of Jacksonville to really unite and continue to deliver in the expansion and preservation of homes for those in need,” Corbett Waller said.
To learn more about JHA’s projects and for information on how to apply for affordable housing, visit this website.