Building a Better Tomorrow

Ability Housing is a grassroots nonprofit providing two unique housing programs to the Jacksonville community: Villages and CASA.  The focus of each is to provide high quality, affordable housing with positive impacts on each resident, the neighborhood and the broader community.

   

Villages Program

Through the Villages Program Ability Housing develops and operates quality, multi-family rental properties.  Each property is operated so as to provide a safe, secure and pleasant living environment for each of the residents.  They are also operated so as to positively impact the neighborhoods in which they are located.

Each project also provides affordable housing for adults with disabilities and formerly homeless families.  Some Villages projects will be exclusively for special needs households.  Other projects will encompass affordable family housing in conjunction with units set-aside for special needs households.

       

MAYFAIR VILLAGE

Is home to 83 families.  Purchased in 2008, Ability Housing will be conducting substantial rehabilitation to the property.  Ideally located, Ability Housing purchased the property in order to preserve the quality of housing for the existing residents as well as provide affordable housing to formerly homeless families and persons with disabilities.

Mayfair Village is located on Beach Boulevard, in the St. Nicholas area.  It is on a major bus route with plenty of shopping and employment opportunities nearby. For more information on Mayfair Village Apartments call (904) 398-6814 or email Christine Diaz at  mayfairvillage@abilityhousing.org.

CASA Program

 

CASA is a scattered site project; consisting of 29 single-family rental properties reserved especially for adults with disabilities wishing to live independently as well as formerly homeless individuals.

CASA was created in 1998 to address the overlooked need for housing for persons with special needs throughout our community. Through CASA, Ability Housing builds and purchases single-family homes. The homes are scattered throughout the community, in neighborhoods of the residents' choosing, then rented to adults with disabilities at rates they can afford. As the average income of the CASA residents is less than $11,000 annually, the rents charged do not cover routine operating expenses.

Ability Housing collaborates with service providers throughout the community so each resident has the supports they require to maintain their housing and continue to develop their independent living skills. To date, Ability Housing has partnered with over a dozen service providers to ensure the success of our residents with special needs. Providing affordable housing linked with community supports – supportive housing – is a national best practice.

CASA received its name because each house is:

• Convenient - Homes are within walking distance of shopping and transportation, which is a necessity, since the individuals we serve usually cannot drive.

• Affordable - Individuals pay approximately 30% of their income for rent, the standard measure of affordability.

• Safe - Homes are located in safe, stable neighborhoods of the residents' choosing.

• Attractive - We call it the “Wow Factor.”  In order for Ability Housing staff to consider a property we need to say, “Wow, I would like to live here myself.”

For information on how to apply call (904) 359-9650 or email Meg Ramirez at mramirez@abilityhousing.org.

              

Ability Housing does more than provide quality, affordable housing.

All of our properties are operated in partnership with each resident; fostering each resident’s ability to live a life of independence and inclusion in the community.

Ability Housing staffs make it a priority to take the time and answer resident questions about the lease and their neighborhood. We conduct social events for our residents, their friends and families, providing them with opportunities for neighborhood interaction.

We provide our residents with training on financial issues, home maintenance, tenants’ rights and other topics. We also conduct routine Stakeholder Committee meetings that enable residents, applicants and other stakeholders to provide input into our housing programs and future developments.