Families who qualify will help build their homes through sweat equity and take on no-interest mortgages.
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Affordable housing continues to be one of the biggest challenges in Northeast Florida; however, a new housing project aims to address that.
Beaches Habitat for Humanity is breaking ground on a new $10 million project in Atlantic Beach aimed at keeping families in the community they call home.
Construction is officially underway at Coastal Haven, a 4-acre development off Mayport Road.
“It’s been many, many years in the works, and we’re so excited now to have families in the queue, ready to go,” said Steven Gilbert, CEO of Beaches Habitat for Humanity.
The project will bring 44 three-bedroom, two-bath townhomes to Atlantic Beach. They will be built in phases of about eight homes per year, with funding coming from long-time donors and sponsors.
“Here at the Beaches, land is so expensive and there’s not much of it left. We feel honored to help families who want and need safe, affordable housing,” GIlbert said.
Each family must complete 300 hours of “sweat equity” — helping to build their home and their neighbors — while also taking financial education classes. Families will then have 30-year, no-interest mortgages.
Gilbert tells First Coast News the nonprofit is already looking for more land along the Intracoastal to create additional projects like this one.
“Affordable housing is at such a premium right now. Families who move into our homes have to have lived or worked here for at least a year, so we’re blessed to help families who want to make the Beaches their home,” Gilbert said.
Families are currently being qualified for the new homes. The first eight are expected to be finished next year.