The City of Jacksonville has introduced a new affordable housing dashboard designed to provide residents and stakeholders with detailed information on the progress of housing developments across the city. The tool includes data on specific projects, developers, and the projected number of units expected each year. It also tracks each development’s status, from planning stages through construction and completion.
The dashboard features an interactive map that allows users to view affordable housing initiatives by neighborhood and City Council district. Monthly updates are planned, with future enhancements set to include information about single-family homes being built below market rate.
Mayor Donna Deegan emphasized the broader significance of accessible housing for local communities. “Housing isn’t just about walls and a roof,” said Mayor Deegan. “It’s about opportunity and hope, especially when so many of our neighbors are struggling. It continues to be a top city priority to make housing more affordable, and now we have a new way for citizens to track the progress that we are making to bring down housing costs across Jacksonville.”
Affordable Housing Director Joshua Hicks explained the city’s approach: “We are giving the community a clear view of where and when affordable housing is being built,” Hicks said. “These numbers need to — and will — keep growing as we work with public and private partners to increasing the supply of affordable homes. At the same time, we will continue strengthening programs that keep individuals and families stably housed, while pursuing innovative ways to address the affordability crisis.”
Chief Information Officer Wanyonyi Kendrick highlighted transparency as a key goal for city government. “Transparency builds trust,” Kendrick said. “This new dashboard is another vital step towards Mayor Deegan’s goals of increasing transparency and affordable housing. It represents another way we are telling the story of Jacksonville’s progress through data and showing how the focus on housing is delivering better outcomes for all citizens.”
The city defines workforce housing as available for those earning between 81% to 120% of area median income (AMI), which translates up to $86,160 annually for an individual or $123,000 for a family of four. Affordable housing targets incomes from 31% up to 80% AMI ($57,440 for an individual or $82,000 per family), while low-income housing serves those at or below 30% AMI ($21,540 per individual or $30,750 per family).
The Technology Solutions Department developed this dashboard internally as part of Mayor Deegan’s Transparency Dashboards initiative. Over 20 dashboards have been created so far covering services such as permitting, procurement, infrastructure maintenance, animal shelters, literacy efforts, among others.
