Jacksonville Housing Selected for $2.3 Million Jobs Plus HUD Grant

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (February 19, 2020) - The Jacksonville Housing Authority (JHA) is pleased to announce their selection for a $2.3 million Jobs Plus grant from the US Department of Housing and Urban Development. JHA received the award to support their work with Southwind Villas, and is one of only nine FY 2019 Jobs Plus grant recipients.

Funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, the Jobs Plus Initiative empowers residents of Jacksonville Housing Authority - Southwind Villas with employment-related services, supportive services and community supports for work via an employment case management and coaching model to assist with navigating the community resources for accessing services and assistance with life management and employment.

The Jobs Plus program was put in place to help develop locally-based, job-driven approaches to increase income and employment outcomes for residents of public housing. The program helps residents improve their earnings and employability through training, incentives, and services like technological skills training, financial literacy courses, job placement assistance and income disregards for working families.

"We are thrilled to be able to provide support for our Jacksonville public housing residents thanks to the vision and generosity of the Department of Housing and Urban Development," said JHA Interim President & CEO Dwayne Alexander.  "The JHA team worked hard to show why the Jacksonville community was ready to take on this initiative and I couldn't be prouder to celebrate their success."

Since 1994, the JHA has been providing variety of programs to fit the needs of low- and moderate- income families, senior and handicapped adults in the greater Jacksonville area. Approximately 2,653 families benefit from the range of housing options, programming and support services provided by JHA.

"This award will allow us to take another step forward in our journey to become one of the premier housing authorities in the United States," said Alexander. "By combining employment training, community support and financial incentives for residents, we look forward to fostering a positive culture of work in Jacksonville."

For more details on the Jobs Plus program grant, visit our Jobs Plus Residents page.