JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Affordable housing remains a pressing issue for many Jacksonville residents as rent prices continue to challenge budgets across the city.
Data from Zillow Rentals shows the average monthly rent in Jacksonville currently sits just above $1,600. Although this is about $48 less than the same time last year, many locals still feel the strain of rising costs.
A breakdown of average rents by apartment size reveals the following:
Studios rent for just over $1,000 per month
One-bedroom units average $1,100
Two-bedrooms are just under $1,400
Three-bedrooms cost about $1,764
Four-bedroom apartments come in slightly lower at $1,727 monthly.
To address this challenge, the local group ICARE held its Community Problems Assembly at Christ the King Church in Arlington. At the event, ICARE’s board and the city of Jacksonville introduced a plan to create an affordable housing trust fund.
The fund would accumulate money to incentivize developers to build affordable housing more profitably than they otherwise could, encouraging more affordable units in the city.
Pastor Adam Gray, an ICARE executive board member, explained the idea is modeled after successful trust funds in other Florida counties. “It has already worked in Orange County, in Orlando. It has already worked in Hillsborough County, in Tampa. It has already worked in Alachua County, in Gainesville. It has already worked in Greater Miami, in Miami-Dade County. And so we just want to bring those results to Jacksonville.”
He added, “All the money is in these luxury apartments — you know, $2,200, $2,500 a month for a 2-bedroom, and a lot of people — even people with full-time jobs, just can’t afford that.”
The proposed trust fund requires approval from the Jacksonville City Council before moving forward.
In addition to affordable housing, ICARE committee members plan to research other community issues raised at the assembly to explore possible solutions. The group will also host its annual Nehemiah Action Assembly in the spring, aiming to engage elected and public officials to secure commitments to address these challenges.
Copyright 2025 by WJXT News4JAX – All rights reserved.