At this year’s Nehemiah Action Assembly, clergy and faith leaders asked Mayor Donna Deegan to work with Interfaith Coalition for Action, Reconciliation and Empowerment (ICARE) to develop an affordable housing trust fund. Mayor Deegan and Sheriff T.K. Waters were in attendance to address the affordable housing crisis that has been devastating for families in Jacksonville, particularly those who make 50% or less of the area median income.
These people include bus drivers, nursing assistants, security guards, janitors, housekeepers and other essential employees. They also include aging seniors living on a fixed income and single income families.
Currently, Jacksonville has only half of the affordable homes needed for these families. In 2024, Mayor Deegan proposed an affordable housing fund that was rejected by some of the members of City Council. “ICARE leaders look forward to working with the Mayor to champion an affordable housing trust fund that would ensure everyone in Jacksonville has a place to call home,” said James Boddie of Christ the King Catholic Church and Co-President of ICARE…