Northeast Florida seniors face growing housing crisis as rents outpace fixed incomes, nonprofits say
Read full article: Northeast Florida seniors face growing housing crisis as rents outpace fixed incomes, nonprofits sayAs Northeast Floridaās population ages, local nonprofits warn that more seniors are struggling to afford housing as rent prices continue to rise faster than retirement incomes.
A $500M project coming to Springfield could help address Jacksonvilleās housing affordability crisis
Read full article: A $500M project coming to Springfield could help address Jacksonvilleās housing affordability crisisA major mixed-use development planned for Jacksonvilleās Springfield neighborhood aims to bring hundreds of new housing units to the area, including affordable and workforce housing options.
More Americans are using buy now, pay later for groceries. But at what cost?
Read full article: More Americans are using buy now, pay later for groceries. But at what cost?āBuy now, pay laterā services are rapidly becoming a financial lifeline for some families struggling with rising costs, but consumer finance experts warn the increasingly popular payment option can quickly turn into difficult-to-manage debt.
Clay County nonprofit expands supportive housing as families struggle with rising costs
Read full article: Clay County nonprofit expands supportive housing as families struggle with rising costsAs housing costs continue to rise across Northeast Florida, one Clay County nonprofit says more families are finding themselves on the brink of homelessness often after a single financial setback.
Fair Price: Can Downtown Jacksonvilleās development boom deliver homes people can actually afford?
Read full article: Fair Price: Can Downtown Jacksonvilleās development boom deliver homes people can actually afford?Gateway Jax CEO Bryan Moll said there is momentum building in downtown Jacksonville, where cranes, construction sites and billion-dollar investments are reshaping the cityās skyline.
āItās an issueā: In historic St. Augustine, tourists fill homes while locals are priced out
Read full article: āItās an issueā: In historic St. Augustine, tourists fill homes while locals are priced outIn one of Northeast Floridaās most visited destinations, some residents say the rise of short-term rentals is reshaping neighborhoods and pricing out the people who live and work there.
Affordability emerges as central issue in Florida governorās race as candidates outline competing approaches
Read full article: Affordability emerges as central issue in Florida governorās race as candidates outline competing approachesFrom rising housing and insurance costs to everyday expenses, affordability is taking center stage on the Florida gubernatorial campaign trail, reflecting what experts say is a growing strain on residentsā quality of life.
A new housing development is coming to Jacksonvilleās Northbank, but how affordable will it be?
Read full article: A new housing development is coming to Jacksonvilleās Northbank, but how affordable will it be?A proposed development in downtown Jacksonville could bring new affordable housing options to the Northbank and now, for the first time, thereās a clearer picture of what some of those units could cost.
āFirst-of-its-kindā affordable apartments coming to Northside; 25% of units reserved for DCPS staff
Read full article: āFirst-of-its-kindā affordable apartments coming to Northside; 25% of units reserved for DCPS staffA nonprofit developer plans to build 120 affordable apartments on Jacksonvilleās Northside at the site of the former Lake Forest Elementary School, which closed in 2019.
āI paid $15K in 1960ā²: Older Americans now hold more real estate wealth than ever as younger buyers fall behind
Read full article: āI paid $15K in 1960ā²: Older Americans now hold more real estate wealth than ever as younger buyers fall behindA major shift in the U.S. housing market is reshaping who owns property and who can afford to buy in.
Jacksonville ranked #1 U.S. market for first-time homebuyers, Zillow says
Read full article: Jacksonville ranked #1 U.S. market for first-time homebuyers, Zillow saysJacksonville is the best large U.S. housing market for first-time homebuyers this spring, according to a new analysis released by Zillow.
Demand for affordable homeownership grows in Clay County as Habitat for Humanity expands efforts
Read full article: Demand for affordable homeownership grows in Clay County as Habitat for Humanity expands effortsAs home prices continue to climb across Northeast Florida, homeownership is slipping further out of reach for many families, especially those living on fixed incomes.
āIt can really save so many livesā: A look inside the Jacksonville program preventing evictions and homelessness
Read full article: āIt can really save so many livesā: A look inside the Jacksonville program preventing evictions and homelessnessAs housing costs continue to strain household budgets, a Jacksonville program aimed at preventing evictions is offering a lifeline to families facing short-term financial hardship.
Jacksonville launches SHIP program to build 10 affordable single-family homes for very-low-income buyers
Read full article: Jacksonville launches SHIP program to build 10 affordable single-family homes for very-low-income buyersThe City of Jacksonville on Thursday launched the SHIP Single-Family Development Program to build 10 affordable single-family homes and pair eligible buyers with downpayment assistance, officials said.
āItās just really difficultā: Florida lawmakers struggle to deliver affordability relief as key housing bills fail
Read full article: āItās just really difficultā: Florida lawmakers struggle to deliver affordability relief as key housing bills failAffordability remains the top concern for Floridians, but state lawmakers wrapped up the 2026 legislative session with little to show for it, as several high-profile housing and insurance proposals failed to pass.
āIt provides more local resourcesā: Senate Housing Bill could boost Jacksonvilleās fight against affordability crisis
Read full article: āIt provides more local resourcesā: Senate Housing Bill could boost Jacksonvilleās fight against affordability crisisThe U.S. Senate has passed what could become one of the most sweeping housing packages in decades, a proposal local leaders say could help tackle affordability challenges in Jacksonville if it becomes law.
Nearly 40% of Jacksonville families qualify for affordable housing. Nonprofit leader addresses the āstigmaā
Read full article: Nearly 40% of Jacksonville families qualify for affordable housing. Nonprofit leader addresses the āstigmaāNearly 40% of families in Jacksonville qualify for most affordable housing programs, according to city data ā a reality local housing leaders say highlights just how widespread the affordability crisis has become.
Own the home, not the land: A unique program tackling Jacksonvilleās housing affordability crisis
Read full article: Own the home, not the land: A unique program tackling Jacksonvilleās housing affordability crisisAs housing prices continue to climb, a local program is offering a different path to homeownership for residents priced out of the traditional market.
Built-to-Rent trend expands to mobile homes in Palatka, offering āattainableā rents amid housing crunch
Read full article: Built-to-Rent trend expands to mobile homes in Palatka, offering āattainableā rents amid housing crunchA growing housing trend in Northeast Florida is expanding beyond single-family subdivisions and into manufactured housing, as developers look to meet demand from renters priced out of homeownership.
More than 1 in 10 new Duval homes are built only for renters. Is it helping or hurting affordability?
Read full article: More than 1 in 10 new Duval homes are built only for renters. Is it helping or hurting affordability?What looks like a typical neighborhood in Jacksonville, with rows of new single-family homes that have driveways and manicured lawns, might not be for sale at all.
Mortgage rates back in the 5% range for first since 2023. Buyers are responding locally
Read full article: Mortgage rates back in the 5% range for first since 2023. Buyers are responding locallyMortgage rates have eased into the 5% range for the first time since 2023, and local lenders say buyers in Northeast Florida are taking notice.
Jacksonville ramps up affordable housing construction, but the city is still 50,000 units short
Read full article: Jacksonville ramps up affordable housing construction, but the city is still 50,000 units shortJacksonville has made measurable gains in affordable housing construction in recent years, but city leaders say the pace still falls short of whatās needed to keep up with rapid population growth.
Jacksonville rents surged post-pandemic. A new book examines why and calls attention to the affordability crisis
Read full article: Jacksonville rents surged post-pandemic. A new book examines why and calls attention to the affordability crisisWhen rents began skyrocketing across the country, Jacksonville didnāt just feel the impact, it ranked among the top five U.S. cities with the fastest rent increases.
40% of millennials want to buy a home in 2026. But they face mounting affordability hurdles
Read full article: 40% of millennials want to buy a home in 2026. But they face mounting affordability hurdlesMillennials hoping to buy a home in 2026 say affordability pressures are intensifying, with many feeling desperate to enter the housing market even as high prices, interest rates and debt make ownership harder to reach, according to new research.
Zillow lists Jacksonville as a top market for homebuyers: Jax Daily Record
Read full article: Zillow lists Jacksonville as a top market for homebuyers: Jax Daily RecordA new study from online real estate company Zillow lists Jacksonville as one of the most favorable markets for homebuyers in the U.S.
Quiet lifelines: Local organization helping Florida families from losing their homes amid foreclosure surge
Read full article: Quiet lifelines: Local organization helping Florida families from losing their homes amid foreclosure surgeAs housing costs climb and job losses ripple through Florida, more families are facing foreclosure here than anywhere else in the nation ā and many are turning to quiet, community-based help before they lose everything.
News4JAX joins Northeast Florida News Partners Collaborative to tackle issue of housing costs
Read full article: News4JAX joins Northeast Florida News Partners Collaborative to tackle issue of housing costsSince last May, News4JAX has been tackling the tough topic of affordable housing from every angle. Now, weāre taking our efforts a step further by joining a coalition of Northeast Florida news organizations ā including digital, broadcast, and print media ā to tackle the issue of housing costs as a shared editorial project in 2026.
Can you afford to buy a home in 2026? Experts say it depends on strategy, not headlines
Read full article: Can you afford to buy a home in 2026? Experts say it depends on strategy, not headlinesWith home prices still elevated and mortgage rates uncertain, many would-be buyers are asking a simple question: Can you afford to buy a home in 2026?
From a botched fridge install to landlord complaints: Here are the top 2025 I-TEAM and Addressing Affordability stories
Read full article: From a botched fridge install to landlord complaints: Here are the top 2025 I-TEAM and Addressing Affordability storiesFrom a botched refrigerator installation to complaints filed against a landlord for awful living conditions. Here are the top 10 I-Team and Addressing Affordability stories of 2025.
Study: Typical Florida household needs 17 years to save for 10% home down payment. How long has your family been saving?
Read full article: Study: Typical Florida household needs 17 years to save for 10% home down payment. How long has your family been saving?As home prices continue to climb across Florida, a new analysis suggests it could take the typical household nearly a generation to save for a modest down payment.
Buyers demand affordability as Jacksonville sees the steepest home price decline of top 40 US markets
Read full article: Buyers demand affordability as Jacksonville sees the steepest home price decline of top 40 US marketsJacksonville saw one of the sharpest home-price drops in the nation, with the regionās median home price falling more than $16,000 year over year in October, the steepest decline among the countryās 40 largest metro areas, according to new data from Homes.com.
Your home builderās tax estimate might be off by hundreds of dollars. Hereās how to verify it yourself
Read full article: Your home builderās tax estimate might be off by hundreds of dollars. Hereās how to verify it yourselfA growing number of Florida homeowners say their mortgage payments jumped by hundreds, even more than a thousand dollars, within their first year of owning a new construction home, and many believe they were never warned it could happen.
They signed the papers to their dream homes. Then learned their taxes were triple what the builder told them
Read full article: They signed the papers to their dream homes. Then learned their taxes were triple what the builder told themDozens of Northeast Florida families say they were blindsided by steep increases in their monthly mortgage payments after buying new construction homes from D.R. Horton, one of the nationās largest homebuilders.
Addressing A4dability: Golden Isles employers struggle as workforce housing falls short
Read full article: Addressing A4dability: Golden Isles employers struggle as workforce housing falls shortAs the population of Brunswick and the Golden Isles continues to climb, community leaders say the demand for affordable homes is outpacing construction, and the gap is widening.
āWeāre trying to leadā: Jacksonville company rolls out portable 3D construction robot to tackle housing costs
Read full article: āWeāre trying to leadā: Jacksonville company rolls out portable 3D construction robot to tackle housing costsA Jacksonville-based company says its new portable 3D construction robot could help lower homebuilding costs and make housing more affordable across Northeast Florida.
āBuilding housing for the houselessā: Nonprofit aims to close affordability gap in Nassau County, one property at a time
Read full article: āBuilding housing for the houselessā: Nonprofit aims to close affordability gap in Nassau County, one property at a timeAffordable Housing 1st was created last year by co-founder Carlene McDuffie and president Kevin Harriman to address Nassau Countyās growing affordability crisis.
Nassau County resident receives keys to new home through affordable housing program
Read full article: Nassau County resident receives keys to new home through affordable housing programA Nassau County residentĀ received the keys to a brand new home constructed through the countyās State Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP), which provides down payment and rehabilitation assistance for individuals in need.
Florida homebuyers file lawsuit against D.R. Horton, claiming misleading mortgage practices led to costly surprises
Read full article: Florida homebuyers file lawsuit against D.R. Horton, claiming misleading mortgage practices led to costly surprisesA lawsuit claims D.R. Horton and DHI Mortgage worked together to promote āaffordableā monthly payments that didnāt include full property tax costs, alleging the companies duped first-time buyers and left homeowners paying hundreds more each month than expected.
Jacksonville launches new housing dashboard to help tackle affordable housing crisis
Read full article: Jacksonville launches new housing dashboard to help tackle affordable housing crisisJacksonville city leaders are rolling out a new tool designed to give residents a clearer picture of the cityās ongoing efforts to address the affordable housing crisis.
This local mother never thought sheād be able to own a home. A nonprofit is making it happen
Read full article: This local mother never thought sheād be able to own a home. A nonprofit is making it happenHelen Johnson will move into one of the 44 townhomes being built by Beaches Habitat for Humanity off Mayport Road, called Coastal Haven.
City cuts ribbon on 5 new affordable homes in Durkeeville
Read full article: City cuts ribbon on 5 new affordable homes in DurkeevilleThe City of Jacksonville, the Jacksonville Housing Authority and First Coast Construction, will break ground on five new affordable homes in the Durkeeville neighborhood on Friday.
Nearly 1 million renters across Florida are just one ācurveballā away from losing their housing, study finds
Read full article: Nearly 1 million renters across Florida are just one ācurveballā away from losing their housing, study findsHomelessness among Florida families has surged in the last three years as soaring rents and a shortage of affordable housing push more residents into shelters, motels and the streets, a new University of Florida report says.
āDisplacement is gentrificationā: Eastside leaders warn stadium renovations could price out longtime residents
Read full article: āDisplacement is gentrificationā: Eastside leaders warn stadium renovations could price out longtime residentsAs the Jacksonville Jaguars stadium undergoes millions of dollars in renovations, residents of the cityās historic Eastside say theyāre caught between promises of revitalization and fears of displacement.
āSlumlord problemā: Jacksonvilleās most vulnerable forced to choose between affordable rent and safe living conditions
Read full article: āSlumlord problemā: Jacksonvilleās most vulnerable forced to choose between affordable rent and safe living conditionsTenants at several Jacksonville apartment complexes say theyāre living in dangerous, deteriorating conditions while paying rising rents to one of the cityās largest landlords.
Tiny homes offer big relief as Jacksonville families search for affordable housing options
Read full article: Tiny homes offer big relief as Jacksonville families search for affordable housing optionsJacksonville is short thousands of affordable homes, and the rising cost of rent and mortgages is forcing many families to look for alternatives. One solution gaining traction: tiny homes.
Floridaās mobile home parks are an affordable housing lifeline. But residents face steep eviction risks
Read full article: Floridaās mobile home parks are an affordable housing lifeline. But residents face steep eviction risksManufactured housing plays a key role in providing affordable housing, especially in Florida, which has one of the largest numbers of mobile home parks in the country.
No Room on Campus: The off-campus housing crisis facing college students
Read full article: No Room on Campus: The off-campus housing crisis facing college studentsAs part of News4JAXās Addressing Affordability series, weāre taking a closer look at how rising housing costs are reshaping the college experience.
Springfieldās growth forcing longtime residents, first-time home buyers to question areaās affordability
Read full article: Springfieldās growth forcing longtime residents, first-time home buyers to question areaās affordabilityKnown for its colorful homes and wraparound porches, Springfield is one of Jacksonvilleās oldest neighborhoods. Once overlooked, the historic community just north of downtown has become a magnet for new residents and businesses. However, revitalization is coming at a cost as longtime locals say the price of that popularity is a rise in home prices and the potential loss of what made Springfield special in the first place.
There are 1,400 short-term rentals in Jacksonville Beach. Locals say thatās driving up home prices and changing the city
Read full article: There are 1,400 short-term rentals in Jacksonville Beach. Locals say thatās driving up home prices and changing the cityAs part of News4JAXās Addressing A4dability series, weāre taking a closer look at how short-term rentals, like Airbnb and Vrbo, are reshaping housing markets, neighborhoods, and the ability for locals to afford a place to live.
75% of kids who rely on this local nonprofit face homelessness or housing instability. Their state funding was just cut
Read full article: 75% of kids who rely on this local nonprofit face homelessness or housing instability. Their state funding was just cutThe Giving Closet Project has quietly become a safety net for thousands of Jacksonville students facing homelessness and housing insecurity. But after losing $150,000 in state funding through Gov. Ron DeSantisā budget vetoes, the organization is now leaning heavily on the community to survive.
Yes, you can buy a home with $0 down. A Jacksonville mortgage broker is working to spread the word on social media
Read full article: Yes, you can buy a home with $0 down. A Jacksonville mortgage broker is working to spread the word on social mediaAs part of our āAddressing A4dabilityā series, we spoke with longtime loan officer Jason Kindler, who says zero-down mortgages are not only possible, theyāre happening every day.
Boomers skip the market: Family-to-family home transfers surge in Florida
Read full article: Boomers skip the market: Family-to-family home transfers surge in FloridaA growing number of Baby Boomers are transferring property directly to family members, bypassing the traditional real estate market, and itās reshaping housing trends across the country.
A sign of the times? Jacksonville mom working two jobs, launches fundraiser to help buy first home for her family
Read full article: A sign of the times? Jacksonville mom working two jobs, launches fundraiser to help buy first home for her familyAs home prices and interest rates continue to climb, more families are struggling to cross the threshold into homeownership, especially single parents trying to save on a single income.
Are corporate landlords trapping renters? A Clay County womanās story highlights a bigger problem amid federal scrutiny
Read full article: Are corporate landlords trapping renters? A Clay County womanās story highlights a bigger problem amid federal scrutinyA Jacksonville-area womanās experience renting from one of the nationās largest landlords is shedding light on a broader housing issue thatās now the subject of a federal investigation.
25% of Jacksonville residents spend more than half their income on housing. How the city is addressing affordability
Read full article: 25% of Jacksonville residents spend more than half their income on housing. How the city is addressing affordabilityAs part of News4JAXās ongoing weekly series āAddressing Affordability,ā weāre digging deeper into the issue dominating local conversations ā the rising cost of having a place to live.
āThis is just the beginningā: Jacksonville officials break ground on new affordable housing in Durkeeville
Read full article: āThis is just the beginningā: Jacksonville officials break ground on new affordable housing in DurkeevilleThe City of Jacksonville, the Jacksonville Housing Authority and First Coast Construction, will break ground on five new affordable homes in the Durkeeville neighborhood on Friday.
Three Generations, One Housing Crisis: What āAffordableā means in 2025
Read full article: Three Generations, One Housing Crisis: What āAffordableā means in 2025As part of our ongoing Addressing A4dability series, News4JAX gathered voices from three different generations ā Baby Boomers, Millennials, and Gen Z ā to discuss the challenges they face when it comes to affording a place to live.
Home Sick: Some Florida mobile home residents are paying the price of lower-cost living with their health, study finds
Read full article: Home Sick: Some Florida mobile home residents are paying the price of lower-cost living with their health, study findsA new public health report by Human Impact Partners and Manufactured Housing Action paints a disturbing picture, accusing one of the nationās largest mobile home park owners of transforming affordable communities into hazardous ones.
āItās like free moneyā: Jacksonville program helps renters become homeowners
Read full article: āItās like free moneyā: Jacksonville program helps renters become homeownersJWB Real Estateās HomeStep program is turning tenants into proud homeowners by offering financial incentives and support services to help them make the leap.
āAddressing Affordabilityā: How does Northeast Floridaās housing market align with the definition of affordable housing?
Read full article: āAddressing Affordabilityā: How does Northeast Floridaās housing market align with the definition of affordable housing?According to housing experts, āaffordableā is defined as spending no more than 30% of your income on housing. In Jacksonville, where the median household income is $81,107 according to city data, that means monthly housing costs should not exceed $2,027 to be considered affordable.
Generational divide widens in U.S. homeownership aspirations and realities
Read full article: Generational divide widens in U.S. homeownership aspirations and realitiesA recent survey by Clever Real Estate reveals that while 90% of Americans across generationsābaby boomers, Gen X, and millennialsāstill view homeownership as a key component of the American dream, many believe itās increasingly out of reach.
