Housing affordability
UNF polls of Duval voters identify housing costs as the top issue, ahead of crime, driven by high home prices, insurance, and supply shortages. Mayor Deegan has advanced an affordable housing trust fund; in the FY 2026-27 budget, Council restored funding after cuts for down-payment assistance, developer capital, and utility fees, following earlier failed larger proposals and prior multi-million spending. Debates continue over eviction diversion, homelessness programs, a private Jax GAP Fund, and whether more permanent local funding is needed.
Should Jacksonville expand local funding and programs for affordable housing?
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Sources
UNF poll — https://flvoicenews.com/housing-costs-top-concern-for-jacksonville-voters-unf-poll-finds/
housing costs as the #1 issue (around 25% naming it the most important problem), surpassing crime
Mayor Deegan — https://jaxtoday.org/2026/09/23/jax-council-approves-2b-budget/
Council restored ~$4.9 million after Finance Committee cuts (final: $2M down-payment assistance, $1.4M capital stack funding for developers, $1.5M utility tap fees)
Positions on this issue · liberal → conservative
- Strongly expand city trust funds, subsidies, and permanent local affordable housing programs
- Increase targeted funding for down-payment aid, developer incentives, and eviction diversion
- Maintain current housing spending levels while monitoring supply and costs
- Limit new housing funds and prioritize private-market development incentives only
- Cut housing program spending and rely fully on private market without city subsidies