‘First-of-its-kind’ affordable apartments coming to Northside; 25% of units reserved for DCPS staff

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% 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.