JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — A day after the Jacksonville City Council restored nearly $5 million in funding toward affordable housing, the charitable wing of a local real estate company stepped up to help aspiring homeowners reach that goal.
The charitable arm of JWB Real Estate Companies, JWB Cares Foundation, awarded $20,000 to eight finalists to help them achieve their slice of the American dream -- homeownership.
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An award ceremony was held for recipients on Wednesday morning at Sweet Pete’s Candy, across the street from Jacksonville City Hall.
Kristin Bradley, a mom of three, was among the chosen ones who received the sweet news inside Sweet Pete’s. JWB Cares’ Welcome Home Fund award will help make her a first generation homebuyer.
“I wanted to win mostly for stability. I’ve been working and renting for the past 6 to 8 years trying to save up for that down payment. It’s just been really hard,” Bradley said.
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JWB manages 5,700 rental homes in Jacksonville, the lion’s share of which is considered affordable housing.
“Yeah, it’s a little counterintuitive right. We’re a rental company that is helping people purchase homes, I think because we’re grounded in the city and we believe in housing,” Melissa Gillispie, Chief Operating Officer for JWB, said.
JWB Cares gets its cash flow from annual donations and proceeds from a yearly golf tournament.
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“I think $20,000 really puts you in a position to potentially not have to bring any cost at closing,” Gillispie said.
The recipients got their award the morning after Jacksonville City Council approved $4.9 million in funding toward down payment assistance, something Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan championed.
“I really wasn’t sure we were gonna get the votes,” Deegan said Tuesday night.
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As the future looks up for Bradley and family, they recognize the struggle that so many still endure.
“Working every day, trying to put a couple dollars in the tank so you can get to work and trying to make enough to pay your bills, like I said it’s hard for everybody,” Bradley said.
JWB also allows its renters to contribute $100 per month with a maximum of $3,600, toward a future down payment.
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