4 local solutions to help fight Jax's housing crisis

[thelakelander]

With a shortage of available homes and prices spiking up dramatically, Jacksonville is the midst of a full-blown housing crisis. Fortunately, there's much the city government can do to help in the fight. These four comparatively simple and affordable solutions could make an impact – if local leaders act now.

Read More: https://www.thejaxsonmag.com/article/4-local-solutions-to-help-fight-jaxs-housing-crisis/

[WarDamJagFan]

I personally know developers that have been pounding the table about this for a while. The push for sprawl is still hot-and-heavy from city hall as one can't even build a multi-family complex north of 3 or 4 stories outside of the "city core" without approval from God himself (if it even reaches his desk after a year's worth of additional red tape insanity at city hall). What are the realistic odds of having the planning department use rational thought when it comes to zoning moving forward? Mehh...

[Tacachale]

I personally know developers that have been pounding the table about this for a while. The push for sprawl is still hot-and-heavy from city hall as one can't even build a multi-family complex north of 3 or 4 stories outside of the "city core" without approval from God himself (if it even reaches his desk after a year's worth of additional red tape insanity at city hall). What are the realistic odds of having the planning department use rational thought when it comes to zoning moving forward? Mehh...

City Hall could hire a consultant to review all areas of our code for probably less money than they've spent on studies for Downtown in the last few years. Like most things, it's about political will. Put in a mayor or council majority that's in favor of it, and it could happen, as it's happening in lots of other cities in various ways. In contrast, the status quo yields more status quo.

[MusicMan]

With all the market rate housing getting subsidies and tax breaks, you would think there would also be some similar support for "affordable housing."

Developers/builders are not going to enter a market and not (try to) make money. Why would they?

[Zac T]

City council voted 12-7 to approve ADU's citywide

The Jacksonville City Council passed legislation Nov. 9 that expands where accessory dwelling units — ADUs — can be built and rented as housing.

Two bills, introduced by Council member Rory Diamond, will allow ADUs as a permitted use in most low-density, single-family neighborhoods citywide except where they are prohibited by a homeowners association. The change does not apply to the Beaches, which Diamond represents, or Baldwin.

Housing advocates like nonprofits Ability Housing and Sulzbacher as well as the Northeast Florida Builders Association say expanding the option to build ADUs is one tool and "the lowest hanging fruit" to combat what they call Jacksonville's affordable and attainable housing crisis.

https://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/article/council-approves-plan-to-expand-accessory-dwelling-units-in-jacksonville