JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Mayor Alvin Brown praised a local organization for its work in turning a foreclosed building into an affordable rental community to prevent homelessness.
During the dedication ceremony today, Brown commended Ability Housing of Northeast Florida. The agency took a foreclosed apartment complex and turned it into Renaissance Village, an affordable rental community on Franklin Street.
The project coincides with the mayor's recent announcement to partner with City Rescue Mission on a pilot project for a downtown, daytime homeless center.
"Ability Housing is helping to push the needle forward on an important issue in Jacksonville," said Mayor Brown. "I'm proud of all the hard work that went into the Renaissance Village project not just because it gives us another strong option to help people in need, but because the redevelopment of the complex will increase value for the surrounding community. 'Renaissance' is a fitting description, as we're seeing opportunity on several different levels here."
TD Bank presented Ability Housing with a check for $100,000 to aide in the building of these multi-family housing units. Ability Housing is one of three Florida organizations to win a grant. The project was also financed with a grant from the city's Neighborhood Stabilization Program.
