Latest news with #JacksonvilleHousingAuthority
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
COJ and JHA break ground on 5 new affordable homes in Durkeeville
Five new affordable single-family rental homes are coming to Jacksonville's Durkeeville neighborhood. The city of Jacksonville, the Jacksonville Housing Authority, and First Coast Construction broke ground on the project on Grothe Street Friday. During the groundbreaking, Mayor Donna Deegan said they wanted to make a statement with this project. >>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<< 'This is just the beginning,' said Mayor Deegan. 'We're investing in this neighborhood in affordable housing, especially because it is just so critical to bring this neighborhood back. And these five homes are just a great start.' The groundbreaking comes just days after a University of North Florida found that the number one issue concerning Duval voters is housing costs. It far outpaced any other issue on voters' minds this year. These 5 single-family rental homes will be available for people who are on the Jacksonville Housing Authority wait list. JHA said families' incomes will determine the amount they pay in rent. [DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks] I spoke with Cheron Corbett, the CEO of the Jacksonville Housing Authority, about the bigger picture of affordable housing in Jacksonville. 'When we think about the bigger picture as it relates to affordable housing here in Jacksonville, we need to most definitely be strategic,' said Corbett. 'Our focus is on not just rental but long-term economic mobility as it relates to home ownership opportunities.' [SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter] Roderick Dorsey has been living in Durkeeville for all of his life. He says this project is going to make a visible difference to the neighborhood. 'For years you would look over here and look over here, the lots been empty for 50, 60, 70 years. They were coming here, tearing it down, said they were going to rebuild, and never did. To me, this is like heaven,' said Dorsey. The JHA CEO told us the homes are expected to be completed by this September. Click here to download the free Action News Jax news and weather apps, click here to download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Action News Jax live.
Yahoo
10-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
SOURCES: Another Major Shake-Up at Jacksonville Housing Authority: Top leaders out
The leadership turmoil at the Jacksonville Housing Authority (JHA) continues. Multiple sources confirmed to Action News Jax Ben Becker that two high-ranking officials are no longer with the agency - a development a JHA spokesperson declined to confirm. Chief Operating Officer Victor Figueroa and longtime IT Director Evann Morris are out, sources say. >>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<< [DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks] According to Figueroa's LinkedIn profile, he had only been with the agency for about nine months. Morris, meanwhile, had served JHA for 17 years. In the wake of their departures, former interim CEO Roslyn Phillips is stepping back into a leadership role, this time as the agency's interim COO. This change comes just weeks after Cheron Corbett Waller took over as the agency's new CEO. She is the fourth person to hold the position since 2023, a period marked by instability and controversy at JHA. Related: Jacksonville Housing Authority acting CEO Vanessa Dunn resigning Related: Housing Authority CEO blames Mayor's office for 'pushing me out' amid HUD audit, new IG probe Since early last year, the agency has seen the arrest of a former Chief Financial Officer, the resignation of multiple board members, and several investigations by Jacksonville's Office of Inspector General including the misuse of $2 million in utility cards. In a statement, the Jacksonville Housing Authority said: 'In an effort to improve the performance of JHA, the agency will be making needed changes to our procedures, processes, and personnel. That includes making sure we have the right staff in the right positions to ensure that we are using the federal funds we receive to fulfill the mission of expanding access to affordable housing in Jacksonville in the most cost-effective manner. We will not comment on specific personnel issues.' As of now, the agency has not publicly confirmed the departures of Figueroa or Morris or Phillips current job title via a phone call, text message or written public records request to a spokesperson. [SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter] Click here to download the free Action News Jax news and weather apps, click here to download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Action News Jax live.
