By Jacksonville Free Press
At this year’s Nehemiah Action Assembly, clergy and faith leaders asked Mayor Donna Deegan to work with Interfaith Coalition for Action, Reconciliation and Empowerment (ICARE) to develop an affordable housing trust fund. Mayor Deegan and Sheriff T.K. Waters were in attendance to address the affordable housing crisis that has been devastating for families in Jacksonville, particularly those who make 50% or less of the area median income.
These people include bus drivers, nursing assistants, security guards, janitors, housekeepers and other essential employees. They also include aging seniors living on a fixed income and single income families.
Currently, Jacksonville has only half of the affordable homes needed for these families. In 2024, Mayor Deegan proposed an affordable housing fund that was rejected by some of the members of City Council. “ICARE leaders look forward to working with the Mayor to champion an affordable housing trust fund that would ensure everyone in Jacksonville has a place to call home,” said James Boddie of Christ the King Catholic Church and Co-President of ICARE.
lCARE celebrated Sheriff Waters at the Nehemiah Assembly for his historic moment in Jacksonville Sheriff Office (JSO) history, noting the largest reduction in murders on record. Sheriff Waters spoke to the audience concerning JSO’s group violence intervention strategy and the success of their approach.
“From 2023 to 2024, murders dropped by over 50%. This is a fantastic achievement that we invite our community to celebrate together,” said Waters. The assembly was held inside Northsides Abyssinia Missionary Baptist Church with hundreds of concerned community residents and church members in attendance.
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