JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The average renter in Jacksonville is paying nearly 40% more for rent than they were in 2019, according to Zillow.
You’d need $1,700 a month to afford a rental that cost $1,200 a month five years ago.
But there are two new options for people looking for an affordable place to stay.
A new affordable housing complex -- the Lofts at San Marco East -- is now taking applications.
The apartments on the corner of Philips Highway and St. Augustine Road are reserved for anyone making less than 60% of the area’s income with nine of those units being for less than 33%.
According to the apartment’s website, they are offering studios and one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments.
People who want to apply can go to the temporary leasing office across the street.
The city of Jacksonville was also awarded an extra $2.3 million to help put people on the path to home ownership.
The Department of Housing and Urban Development presented the Jacksonville Housing Authority with the check on Wednesday. The funding will support job training for 300 people.
The plan is to provide skills training and financial literacy courses before assisting with job placement for those who are a part of the program.
The JHA is one of 14 housing agencies across the country to receive the award. It’s the second time in four years it has received this grant.
Those who have participated in the JHA’s Jobs Plus program said it has helped them get through some of their biggest struggles
“It’s hard being a single mom,” Lineshia Bryant said. “I have faced getting in trouble and the biggest thing was my mom dying. My mom died, she was my biggest supporter for me and my kids. That was the biggest trial and tribulation I went through. (JHA) helping me, it really helped me become the mom I am for my kids so I can provide a stable household for them.”