The Need

Quality, affordable, rental housing has broad implications for the community. The need for affordable, multi-family housing is imperative to the revitalization of blighted neighborhoods as well as to addressing the growing crisis of foreclosures and homelessness.

Affordability

In Duval County over 36,000 households pay more than 50% of their income for housing

In 2007 the median income for family of four in Duval County was $59,700.  According to the most recent American Community Survey 26% of Duval County households earn less than $25,000 per year and there are over 20,000 households with an income below the federal poverty level.

According to the Shimberg Center for Affordable Housing at the University of Florida, over 36,000 Duval County households (10%) spend more than 50% of their income on housing.  Of households earning 30% or less of the Area Median Income, over half spend over 50% of their income for housing.  A household which spends more than 50% of their income on housing is classified as severely cost burdened.

In Duval County, over 26,000 households pay more than 50% of their income for housing.  Additionally, the Center projects that among households earning 50% of less of the Area Median Income, the number spending more than 50% of their income on housing will increase 57% by 2030.

While in recent years concerns focused upon increased housing costs, today the problem lies with increased foreclosure rates. In March 2008, RealtyTrac.com showed Florida ranked third, among the U.S., in foreclosure rates. One in every 282 Florida households received a foreclosure filing during the month of March, 1.9 times the national average. Florida’s foreclosure activity increased 112% from March 2007 to March 2008.

Homelessness

Since 2000 Duval County has experienced an 92% increase in homelessness 

According to the 2008 Homeless Census and Survey:

• 18,088 residents of Duval County were homeless in the past year
• This represents a 7.7% increase from the previous year
• On any given, nearly 3,000 residents are homeless

Of the survey respondents:

• 18.3% had one or more children.  Note: Families are the hardest homeless populations to count as they actively avoid detection for fear of losing custody of their children.  It believed the rate of homeless families is far higher and the experience of local shelters is validating this conclusion.
• 11% experienced the foster care system during their lifetime
• Approximately 45% were homeless for the first time
• 25.5% had been homeless 4 or more times
• 42.7% were homeless for a year or more
• Approximately 25% ere homeless for more than 3 months but less than a year
• 71.8% resided in the community for a year or more
• 26% served in the active military
• More than 66% reported a disabling condition

The central antidote to homelessness is a place to live

Homelessness is a complex issue that is primarily caused by a lack of affordable housing and adequate income and supports for very low-income individuals and families. “The central antidote to homelessness is a place to live,” said Philip Mangano, Executive Director of the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness. Mangano noted the many studies conducted across the country that calculates the financial cost of chronic homelessness to communities. The cost of emergency-room visits, emergency shelters, hospitalizations, jail stays, etc. was $35,000 to $150,000 per person per year. Even the nation’s most comprehensive supportive housing programs cost only $13,000 to $25,000 per person per year. “That person on the street or languishing in the shelter is constantly ricocheted through very expensive systems,” said Mangano.

Society has developed a system to “manage” homelessness over the years, i.e., a system of “emergency” services or short–term solutions, i.e., shelters, meals/food, clothing, etc. This service delivery system is costing the community of Jacksonville more than $27 million annually, with poor results.

 

              

Cost Effective & Better Outcomes

Supportive housing - affordable housing linked with voluntary support services - provides better outcomes at less cost than institutionally based services or relegating citizens to homelessness. Supportive housing also provides solutions, rather than temporary fixes, to several challenges facing our community.

Medicaid is one of the fastest growing budget items for the state. And yet, each year Medicaid dollars are expended on overly-costly facility-based services when services in the community are far less expensive.  Community-based services – services provided within an affordable home of one’s own – cost $20,000 to $100,000 LESS per person per year.

Every day individuals languish in group homes, nursing homes and state hospitals. Not because their disability requires they remain; but, because they can not find an affordable place to live. Their personal liberties are infringed; and their personal outcomes are limited.

According to the State of Florida’s Agency for Persons with Disabilities, personal outcomes are 50% GREATER when services are provided in the community.

Each year communities throughout Florida spend millions on dollars providing emergency care for homeless persons without providing a solution to their lack of housing.  Jacksonville is estimated to spend more than $27million annually on emergency homeless services.