JACKSONVILLE, Fla. \u2013 The Jacksonville City Council approved Mayor Donna Deegan\u2019s budget Tuesday night in an 18-to-1 vote.<\/p>\n
The budget restores $4.9 million to the city\u2019s affordable housing trust fund, reversing a proposed cut that had drawn weeks of public concern. That funding breaks down as follows:<\/p>\n
$2 million for down payment assistance<\/p>\n
$1.4 million for capital stack funding, which combines different types of financing for major projects<\/p>\n
$1.5 million for utility tap fees tied to attainable housing<\/p>\n
Separate from the city funding, JWB Cares Welcome Home Fund announced Wednesday that eight Jacksonville residents will each receive $20,000 in down payment assistance, adding to the city\u2019s affordable housing momentum.<\/p>\n
About 300 people applied for the funds, a sign of just how strong the demand is for homeownership opportunities in Jacksonville.<\/p>\n
Mayor Deegan says the barrier to homeownership isn\u2019t the mortgage, it\u2019s getting to the starting line.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s out of reach because getting to the starting line is really just so difficult. You\u2019re paying rent. You\u2019re paying for groceries, childcare, health care, insurance, transportation, all the everyday expenses,\u201d Deegan said.<\/p>\n
News4JAX spoke with some of the new homeowners and asked what they felt was the biggest obstacle in their homeownership journey.<\/p>\n
They all said the same thing.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s hard to get enough money to get a down payment. And also, the prices of the home,\u201d said JoAnn Walker-Thomas, a fund recipient.<\/p>\n
\u201cEssentially, the down payment is the biggest hurdle to get over,\u201d said Kristen Gonzalez, a fund recipient.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe hardest part is being able to get the money to have the down payment for it. It\u2019s not about being able to pay your mortgage, mostly everybody can pay the mortgage,\u201d said Denard Jones, a fund recipient.<\/p>\n
When asked what it took to get the affordable housing funding restored, Mayor Deegan credited the community.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere were so many citizens who showed up and said, please listen to us. We\u2019ve been saying this for years. And I think that we finally have gotten to the point where they\u2019re looking at the whole affordability piece and saying, you know what? We should listen,\u201d Deegan said.<\/p>\n
The City of Jacksonville also offers the Headstart to Homeownership Program, providing financial assistance of up to $25,000 for down payment and closing costs for eligible individuals or families interested in purchasing a home.<\/p>\n