The city of Jacksonville is partnering with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to expand affordable housing options through a pilot program called the Starter Home Initiative. This program aims to provide modern manufactured homes as a solution to create affordable homeownership for families.
Program Details
The site for the homes is initially planned for 5 acres east of Sibbald Road, near Charles “Boobie” Clark Park on the city’s Northside. The city will be responsible for finding, zoning, and permitting home sites, as well as securing housing manufacturers and funding partners. HUD will provide Federal Housing Administration-insured financing for qualified homeowners and offer program support.
HUD’s acting deputy assistant secretary, Paul Olin, emphasized that modern manufactured homes are produced under national construction and safety standards and can be a viable solution for affordable homeownership. He noted that manufactured housing is the largest source of unsubsidized affordable single-family housing in the country, representing 10% of new single-family housing starts.
City Council member Ju’Coby Pittman praised the project, which is planned in her district, stating that it will bring attention to areas that have been forgotten for a long time. Mayor Donna Deegan expressed the need for urgency and creativity in finding innovative solutions to the city’s housing challenges.
Original reporting: Jacksonville Today — read the source article.
