Efforts to create more affordable housing in Jackson are getting a big boost following a $4.5 million funding allocation from the Jackson City Council. At the Nov. 23 meeting, the City Council voted to approve a new ordinance that creates multiple initiatives to support affordable housing.
An Affordable Housing Development Board will be established, made up of residents and function like the City’s other boards and commissions. Affordable housing programs will be powered by $3.5 million from the City’s American Rescue Plan (ARP) funds, held in an Affordable Housing Fund, overseen by the board.
The new initiatives will help residents navigate getting housing assistance, provide grants and loans to low-income residents that support safe living environments, provide incentives for new affordable housing developments, and address homelessness by providing services and transitional housing for un-housed residents.
The City Council also approved an initiative to allow the City Manager to spend up to $1 million in ARP funds to rehab vacant City-owned homes for low-income residents with housing needs. The $4.5 million for affordable housing is the biggest allocation the City Council has made with its $31 million in ARP funds.
Those interested in serving on the Affordable Housing Development Board may submit a Board/Commission Application through the City website. Qualified and selected applicants are appointed to set terms by the Jackson City Council. Meetings will be scheduled once the board is fully formed.
In further news, City Council voted to recognize June 19 as Juneteenth annually, closing City facilities and providing a paid holiday for employees. This comes after the federal government recognized Juneteenth as a federal holiday earlier this year.
Further, the council approved plans to turn over property no longer being used for streets to Jackson County for additional park space in the Cascades area. Street width in the area was reduced this fall.
The council also approved events for 2022 such as the Gus Macker Basketball Tournament and Fall Fest and Chili Classic.
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