JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A local nonprofit known for developing “high-quality” affordable housing announced Tuesday that it has partnered with Jacksonville to house 25 “unsheltered chronically homeless citizens” as part of a pilot program that current and former members of the city’s government created.
Ability Housing said the Permanent Supportive Housing Pilot Program is an initiative by Mayor Donna Deegan and former city council president Ron Salem designed to “provide affordable housing with individualized support.”
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The program was funded by a $500,000 grant, the nonprofit added.
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“No one should be living on our streets; it is not good for the person or the community,” said President and CEO of Ability Housing Shannon Nazworth. “Ability Housing has proven that providing Permanent Supportive Housing is 30% less expensive than it is to maintain someone as chronically homeless...This pilot demonstrates the City’s commitment to implementing real solutions to ending homelessness."
Mayor Deegan said the program offers the city’s homeless population an “opportunity to create a better life” and an opportunity to build “a brighter future” for Jacksonville.
Ron Salem, who served as city council president during the 2023-2024 term, said, “This is about more than just providing shelter, it is about transformational support to help lift up some of our most vulnerable citizens so they can rebuild their lives.”
According to Ability Housing, program participants will be housed throughout the community utilizing a master lease held by the organization.
The nonprofit also provided financial assistance to the 25 participants to “ensure they did not pay more than 30% of their income for housing and utilities.”
