JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The City of Jacksonville on Thursday launched the SHIP Single-Family Development Program to build 10 affordable single-family homes and pair eligible buyers with downpayment assistance, officials said.
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The program uses State Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP) funds to provide short-term construction loans to nonprofit developers to build homes that will be sold to buyers earning at or below 50 percent of area median income (AMI) — $35,900 a year for a single-person household and $51,250 for a family of four. Loans will be repaid to the city at closing so the funds can be reused for future projects.
Mayor Donna Deegan said the effort is designed to increase homeownership opportunities and help families build generational wealth.
“We’re excited to increase affordable homeownership opportunities in Jacksonville and create new pathways for families to build generational wealth,” she said.
Travis Jeffrey, chief of the Housing and Community Development Division, said the program provides a sustainable long-term.
“By leveraging short-term construction loans that are repaid at closing, the city will create a continuous pipeline of new homes for families who need them most,” Jeffery said.
The City Council unanimously approved Ordinance No. 2026-0065-E in late February, appropriating $2 million for the program: $1.5 million for construction loans and $500,000 for downpayment assistance. The housing division is finalizing a request for proposals that will follow the city’s procurement process.
For more information, visit jacksonville.gov.