Impact

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Families Served

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New Homes

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Rehabs & Repairs

What We Do

In the Jacksonville Beaches, one in five families must choose between spending money on a safe place to live and spending money on groceries, health care, education or reliable transportation. Everyone should have enough money left over after paying rent or mortgage costs to cover life’s necessities.

The statics on affordable housing are staggering:

  • According to the Out of Reach Report, Fair Market Rent for a 3-bedroom home in the Jacksonville Metro area is $1,391 each month. An affordable payment for a renter earning the area’s median income is $1,034. (National Low Income Housing Coalition)
  • Beaches Habitat for Humanity homeowners are people who need a little help to stand on their own. Most work full time in occupations that include childcare workers, nursing assistants, and cashiers, with annual mean wage in 2019 of $26,880, $27,240 and $22,740 respectively. To afford Fair Market Rent for a 3-bedroom home in Jacksonville, a family needs a minimum annual income of $55,640. (Bureau of Labor Statistics, National Low Income Housing Coalition)
  • Working at minimum wage ($8.56 per hour), an employee would need to work 125 hours each week to afford a 3-bedroom apartment at Fair Market Rent. (National Low Income Housing Coalition)

When we approve a homeowner for our program, we work with them to ensure that their monthly payment is affordable. That means that the total of their mortgage payment, contribution to a home repair escrow, homeowner's association dues, homeowner's insurance, and property taxes does not exceed 30% of their gross household income. Learn more about our homeownership program.

When asked , "If you had the choice, would you continue to live in this neighborhood?" here are some of the things Beaches Habitat homeowners had to say...

I have felt nothing but love and acceptance here. I love my neighbors and my community. These people have been nothing but kind and giving to me.

~ Resident of Huang Villas

I'm grateful that God has given us a great community.

~ Resident of Forsyth Court

Our street is very quiet and everyone looks out for one another. We all get along very well.

~ Resident of Simmons Road

It's the most community I have experienced in a neighborhood. It's like having lots of extended family.

~ Resident of Scheidel Court

I count my blessings and having this house in this area is a major blessing.

~ Resident of Francis Avenue

My house is very convenient to the elementary and middle schools that my children go to. Also, I'm close to my job and lots of other things too... grocery store, bank, etc.

~ Resident of Haywood Estates

Building Opportunities through Education

Since 2001, Beaches Habitat for Humanity's Education Program has partnered with the City of Atlantic Beach to provide academic support and mentorship opportunities to children in the community. Students who participate regularly in academic support and mentoring activities earn higher grades, gain confidence, and are ultimately more prepared for college or vocational training.

  • Students who attend the after school program at either the Jordan or Baker Community Center at least 50% of the time demonstrate one grade level growth in reading comprehension.
  • Over the course of 19 years, Beaches Habitat Prep Club has and continues to serve 195 families.

We asked our tutors to share something about their volunteer experience:

In my 15 years and counting, one of the most gratifying things has been watching the children grown in self-confidence. In the last couple of years, I've seen this phenomenal progress to the point that some of the older children have become academic role models for the younger ones. This is the kind of synergy that will result in long term success for our program and for the children who participate.

~ Dan M., 15 year volunteer

Each visit to the Baker Center fills my hear with joy, lifts my spirit and reinforces my confidence in personal growth. The children are amazing: colorful, bright, and beautiful!

~ Amy E., 4 year volunteer

There's nothing more rewarding than a child's smile when they are successful at a task! The hugs are a bonus!

~ Terri W., 5 year volunteer

More Than Housing

Habitat for Humanity has shown that building homes does more than put a roof over someone’s head. Studies have shown that the impact of affordable housing is undeniable.