Jacksonville City Council Committee Meeting on Affordable Housing Trust Fund Restoration

The meeting, convened by Councilman Joe Carlucci at 3:00 PM on September 8, 2026, addressed the restoration of $4.9 million cut from the city's affordable housing trust fund during the finance committee budget hearings. Council members, staff, and the public discussed the impact of the cut and the path forward to restore funding while balancing public safety needs.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Chris Folds, CEO of First Coast Habitat (formerly HabiJax), spoke in support of restoring the down payment assistance program. He noted that Habitat could build 150 homes per year if enough qualified buyers existed, but rising home prices, interest rates, and insurance costs have made homeownership harder for families earning 81–120% of Area Median Income (AMI). He highlighted that 34% of their clients work in healthcare, 11% in education, 11% in warehousing/logistics, and 11% in service industries. Families buying through Habitat see a roughly $200/month decrease in housing costs and begin building equity. Since 1988, their clients have paid nearly $40 million in property taxes.
• Joy Vo (District 11 resident) expressed support for a housing trust fund similar to the Kids Hope Alliance, arguing that stable housing reduces stress, improves school performance, and lowers law enforcement intervention. She emphasized that government funding and oversight can enhance nonprofit efforts.
• Robin Salsgraff, Executive Director of the Jacksonville Community Land Trust (JCLT), urged restoring the full $4.9 million, which included $1.5 million for down payment assistance, $2.4 million for attainable home construction, and $1 million for utility tap fee assistance. She explained that all three investments are needed to close the affordability gap. Community land trust homes remain affordable for future buyers, providing lasting public value.
• Linda Allen (District 7) spoke about essential workers (grocery clerks, servers, trash collectors) who cannot afford housing. She noted her grandson moved back in with his parents after losing his job and cannot afford an apartment.
• Adam Gray, Pastor at Riverside Church and co-president of iCare, reported that iCare's house meetings across all council districts consistently identified affordable housing as a top concern. He said this is a citywide issue affecting all demographics.
• Carol Hawkins (iCare) emphasized that the affordability gap is widest for essential workers at 50% AMI, and a trust fund would be the most effective way to serve that population.

Discussion Items

• Joshua Hicks, Affordable Housing Administrator for the Neighborhoods Department, presented the mayor's original $4.9 million proposal, which included three programs: a Capital Stack development fund (previously used to support over 200 units under construction), an attainable housing program to offset utility tap fees (up to $20,000 per property), and a down payment assistance program for workforce housing (81–120% AMI). He noted Jacksonville has a deficit of 47,000 units at 50% AMI, 59% of renters and 22% of homeowners are cost-burdened, and the city had 15,000 evictions in the past year—the most in five years.
• Council Auditor Brian Parks confirmed that the $4.9 million was moved to a public safety contingency fund, which currently has a balance of $23,405,097.
• Councilman Joe Carlucci read a formal proposal to restore the $4.9 million from the contingency to the affordable housing trust fund, noting that this would require 10 votes (rather than 13 if using reserves). He pledged to support the finance committee chair in reaching the target $26 million public safety contingency by using additional reserve dollars if needed.
• Councilwoman Monet Holder expressed strong support, stating affordable housing was a major campaign issue. She affirmed the full $4.9 million should be restored and that she would work on a budget amendment.
• Councilman Nick Peluso supported the restoration, noting the importance of understanding AMI levels. He clarified that 50% AMI equates to roughly $44–45,000 annual income for an individual, with affordable rent around $700–$900 for a one-bedroom. He emphasized that many new developments are well above these numbers.
• Councilman Reggie Gaffney supported the funding, observing that the housing crisis shows up in other areas (requests for food and utility assistance) as constituents choose rent/mortgage over necessities.
• Councilwoman Tyrona Clark Murray highlighted the down payment assistance program's impact, sharing her mother's success story with a similar program 40 years ago. She stressed that homeownership builds wealth and financial security.
• Hicks estimated that the $4.9 million would serve 600–700 households: capital stack (200–300 units), down payment assistance (100–150 families), and utility tap fee program (around 300 units). He noted this compares favorably to the $5 million loan for Campbell Cove (240 units).
• Discussion on mechanics: Councilman Peluso asked about the three public safety projects funded by the contingency: $14 million for JSO lease buy-down, $10 million for JSO warehouse consolidation, and $2 million for JFRD CO2 removal system. The finance committee chair is introducing a bill to pull from reserves, likely requiring 13 votes. Carlucci reiterated his willingness to support additional reserve draws.

Key Outcomes

• No formal vote was taken, but a strong consensus emerged among attending council members to restore the full $4.9 million to the affordable housing trust fund.
• Councilman Carlucci indicated he may hold another meeting on Friday, September 11, to allow more council members to participate before the final budget vote. He noted his willingness to work with the finance committee chair to ensure both affordable housing and public safety priorities are met.
• Expectation that a budget amendment will be introduced to restore the funding, with Councilwoman Holder committing to work on the amendment.