First Coast Connect: Affordable housing initiatives

Nearly two-fifths of Jacksonville households qualify for affordable housing, earning less than 80% of the area’s median income. But the city is facing a critical shortage of affordable homes, reporting a deficit of 50,000 units. Many renters and homeowners alike are cost-burdened, spending more than 30% of their income on housing. City leaders say expanding access to affordable housing is a top priority and have been working to advance and implement key projects and initiatives that will make housing attainable. One such example is the newly launched Single-Family Development Program, which combines short-term construction loans with down payment assistance to help boost homeownership for very low-income buyers. We talk to the city’s housing director about the challenges ahead and how the city is responding to the crisis. Guest: Joshua Hicks, affordable housing director for the city of Jacksonville Duval literacy report A new report examines the current state of early literacy efforts across Duval County and ways to strengthen these outcomes, specifically for children from birth through third grade. The report, commissioned by the Jacksonville Public Education Fund, found promising progress, but also systematic shortfalls within Duval County’s early literacy system. According to the report, 57% of American adults have literacy skills below that of a sixth grader, with Duval County’s literacy rates mirroring national trends. We ask the group’s president what the findings mean for the future of Duval’s literacy landscape. Guest: Rachael Tutwiler Fortune, president of Jacksonville Public Education Fund Bookstore crawl Supporting writers and local bookstores in Jacksonville. The nonprofit Women Writing for (a) Change, Jacksonville is hosting a three-part community writing series at different bookstores this month, inviting writers with any experience level to join. Organizers say the event asks attendees to slow down and appreciate the practice of writing while fostering deeper connections with others in the community. The Bookstore Crawl will visit Happy Medium Books Cafe, The Next Chapter Bookstore and Cafe Resistance, stopping at one shop each week during three Saturdays this month. The events are free and open to the public — under one condition: You must love books, love writing and love the community. Guests: Jennifer Wolfe, founder and executive director, Women Writing for (a) Change, Jacksonville Olivia Vo, workshop facilitator and board member, Women Writing for (a) Change, Jacksonville See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.