JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (July 10, 2024) – The Jacksonville Housing Authority (JHA) today received a $2.3 million Jobs Plus grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development during a ceremony with HUD officials and Mayor Donna Deegan.
JHA received the award to support job-training for approximately 300 JHA residents scattered throughout the city. JHA is just one of 14 housing agencies nationwide to be awarded the grant. It’s the second time in four years JHA has received the grant.
The Jobs Plus program was put in place to help develop locally-based, job-driven approaches to increase income and employment outcomes for residents of public housing. The program helps residents improve their earnings and employability through training, incentives, and services like technological skills training, financial literacy courses, job placement assistance and income disregards for working families.
“I’m absolutely ecstatic to accept this award on behalf of the Jacksonville Housing Authority,” said JHA Acting CEO Vanessa Dunn. “This award allows us to continue our work of incentivizing and enabling our residents to gain important job skills that will help lift them out of public housing and into employment and home ownership.”
The award ceremony was held in conjunction with an ‘Empowering Residents Through Economic Development Roundtable’ discussion with HUD officials, Mayor Deegan’s administration and other partner organizations.
“Today’s award ceremony and roundtable discussion are prime examples of what we can accomplish when our community comes together to solve difficult issues such as affordable housing, joblessness and economic development,” said JHA Board of Commissioners Chair Heather Horovitz. “We all need to be rowing in the same direction to meet the needs of our residents.”
Added Mayor Deegan: "I congratulate JHA for their work to receive this essential funding and ensure their residents can benefit from the dignity of work. We are all grateful that HUD and President Biden's administration continue to believe and invest in Jacksonville more than ever before."
Since 1994, the JHA has been providing a variety of programs to fit the needs of low- and moderate- income families, senior and handicapped adults in the greater Jacksonville area. Approximately 2,653 families benefit from the range of housing options, programming and support services provided by JHA.
About JHA
Established in 1994, JHA provides approximately 2,311 public housing units and 1,000 affordable housing units to low- and moderate-income residents in developments and scattered sites around Jacksonville. JHA also administers about 8,300 housing choice vouchers. In addition, JHA administers several resident service programs, including homeownership programs, career training and self-sufficiency programming. The authority is governed by a seven-member Board of Commissioners who are appointed by the Mayor. For more information, visit www.jaxha.org.