Affordable housing planned at former Lake Forest Elementary; 25% of units reserved for DCPS staff
Rendering of Village of Lake Forest development for DCPS faculty. (Ability Housing, Copyright 2026 by WJXT News4JAX - All rights reserved.)
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A nonprofit developer plans to build 120 affordable apartments on Jacksonville’s Northside at the site of the former Lake Forest Elementary School, which closed in 2019.
The Village at Lake Forest, developed by Ability Housing, will set aside 25 percent of the units for Duval County Public Schools faculty and staff under a first-of-its-kind agreement intended to help the district recruit and retain employees. DCPS will also operate an on-site early learning center, the developer said.
A groundbreaking ceremony will be held to mark the start of construction at 901 Kennard Street.
Confirmed speakers include:
Reggie Fullwood, CEO of Ability Housing
Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan
Ju’Coby Pittman, Jacksonville City Council member for District 10
Mark Bennett, president of Bank of America Jacksonville
Jim Culbert, chief operations officer for Duval County Public Schools
Richard Sisisky, chair of the board of trustees of The Community Foundation for Northeast Florida
Copyright 2026 by WJXT News4JAX - All rights reserved.
About the Author Ashley French headshot
Ashley French is a News4JAX reporter who joined the station in January 2026 after reporting in Southwest Florida and East Texas.
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