Oct. 15, 2024 — Jacksonville, Fla. — Ability Housing today announced its partnership with the City of Jacksonville to initiate a Permanent Supportive Housing Pilot Program. The program, which was funded through a $500,000 grant in fiscal year 2023-2024, is designed to provide affordable housing with individualized support services for 25 unsheltered chronically homeless citizens, and is an initiative created by Immediate Past President of the Jacksonville City Council Ron Salem and Donna Deegan, Mayor of the City of Jacksonville.
“No one should be living on our streets; it is not good for the person or the community. And it is very expensive. Ability Housing has proven that providing Permanent Supportive Housing is 30% less expensive than it is to maintain someone as chronically homeless,” said Shannon Nazworth, President and CEO of Ability Housing. “This pilot demonstrates the City’s commitment to implementing real solutions to ending homelessness. We thank both the Mayor and the Council for their leadership”
While numbers fluctuate daily, the Northeast Florida Continuum of Care has more than 4,200 people known to be experiencing homelessness in our community; 380 of whom are chronically homeless, with 90% being unsheltered, living on our streets. Ability Housing has successfully secured apartments for all 25 individuals covered by the pilot project funding, providing critical support for some of Jacksonville’s most vulnerable residents. Program participants are housed throughout the community utilizing a master lease held by Ability Housing. The organization also provided move-in assistance, such as support with deposits, furnishings and household necessities, as well as rental assistance ensuring residents do not pay more than 30% of their income for housing and utilities.
“It is vital that we as a community come together to reduce homelessness,” said City of Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan. “The Permanent Supportive Housing Pilot Program is an opportunity to create a better life for the participants and to build a brighter future for our entire city.”
In partnership with the Sulzbacher Center, each resident receives individualized wrap around services. These allow for residents to have necessary support to maintain their housing, further their economic mobility and increase their overall quality of life. This includes access to physical and behavioral healthcare.
“This pilot is an important step to finding sustainable solutions for the members of our community struggling with homelessness,” said Ron Salem, Immediate Past President, Jacksonville City Council. “This is about more than just providing shelter, it is about transformational support to help lift up some of our most vulnerable citizens so they can rebuild their lives.”
###
About Ability Housing:
Ability Housing is an industry-leading not-for-profit multifamily rental housing developer dedicated to creating high-quality affordable housing. We invest in communities through properties that enhance their surrounding neighborhoods, improve each community’s quality of life, and connect residents with a network of voluntary support services. For more information, visit AbilityHousing.org, like the organization on Facebook (facebook.com/AbilityHousing) and follow on X (@AbilityHousing) and LinkedIn (linkedin.com/company/ability-housing).