![\"HUD](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Screenshot-2026-06-30-100337.webp\")
Mayor Donna Deegan speaks Tuesday, June 30, 2026, about a new affordable housing program with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. | News4Jax<\/p>\nA pilot program between Jacksonville and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development will seek to expand affordable housing by using modern manufactured homes.<\/p>\n
The Starter Home Initiative could become a model for other cities across the nation, Mayor Donna Deegan said during an announcement Tuesday.<\/p>\n
The site for the homes is initially planned for 5 acres east of Sibbald Road, near Charles \u201cBoobie\u201d Clark Park on the city\u2019s Northside.<\/p>\n
The city would carry the primary responsibility to find, zone and permit home sites, and would secure housing manufacturers and funding partners. HUD would find Federal Housing Administration-insured financing for use by qualified homeowners and provide program support.<\/p>\n
The city supplied images of some of possible designs for the manufactured home, showing porches and gabled roofs outside and large kitchens and living rooms inside.<\/p>\n
HUD\u2019s acting deputy assistant secretary, Paul Olin, said modern manufactured homes are produced under the national construction and safety standards and can become one solution to create affordable homeownership for families.<\/p>\n
He said partnerships the one involving Jacksonville can \u201cexpand access to the American dream.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cManufactured housing is the largest source of unsubsidized affordable single family housing in the country, currently representing 10% of new single family housing starts\u201d he said. <\/p>\n
Mayor Donna Deegan speaks Tuesday, June 30, 2026, about a new affordable housing program with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. | News4Jax<\/p>\n
The mayor initially approved the program last August. HUD Deputy Regional Administrator Tiffany Cobb praised Jacksonville\u2019s willingness to work with the federal agency.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhile several communities were positioned for this effort, Jacksonville quickly came to mind as the ideal partner because of our long-standing collaboration with the city on prior initiatives; the local leadership here with Mayor Deegan,\u201d Cobb said. \u201cAnd then, as well, the city\u2019s readiness to advance innovative housing solutions.\u201d<\/p>\n
City Council member Ju\u2019Coby Pittman lauded the project, which is planned in her district.<\/p>\n
\u201cDistrict 10 has been forgotten for a long time, and I would say since our mayor has been in office, those areas that have had disparities are now getting attention,\u201d Pittman said.<\/p>\n
The city has taken several steps in recent years to add more affordable housing<\/a> in Jacksonville.<\/p>\n In March, city lawmakers and Deegan\u2019s administration<\/a> committed $2 million from the State Housing Initiatives Partnership to 10 affordable, single-family homes<\/a> reserved for very low-income homebuyers.<\/p>\n