Investigates: State vaccinates thousands of HUD senior residents, misses Jacksonville housing

Jacksonville, Fla. — The Florida Division of Emergency Management has worked to vaccinate seniors living in U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development facilities across the state.

In a Tweet Wednesday, the department said its vaccinated about 9,000 seniors in 145 HUD facilities so far. It plans to visit all facilities by the end of the week, which includes those in Duval County.

The Jacksonville Housing Authority, which provides public housing to Duval residents, said the state has not reached out to about vaccination clinics.

JHA has four total facilities across Jacksonville that houses about 700 seniors and disabled adults.

They include:

• Centennial Towers
• Brentwood Lakes
• Hogan Creek Tower
• The Oaks at Durkeeville

According to a JHA representative, they will not be getting any vaccination clinics on their properties from the state at this time.

However, they said JHA is working with the same vendor responsible for on-site COVID-19 testing to eventually bring vaccinations. There are no official plans just yet.

“No complaints! I feel better because I’m more secure,” Arthur Bright said after getting his first dose at the federally-supported Gateway site.

But he said he’s concerned for those senior residents who can’t leave.

“There’s a lot of people in the community who don’t have transportation. That would help.”

JHA said they are working with seniors to schedule an appointment at ne of the Jacksonville vaccination sites and will provide transportation.

Action News Jax reached out to the Florida Division of Emergency Management to see of there are any future plans for vaccine clinics at JHA facilities. At the time of publishing, we have not heard back.

Cox Media Group