The Jacksonville City Council received a recent update on the city’s housing policy that involves assistance that can provide more housing opportunities for area residents.
Tracy Jackson, director of Jacksonville Neighborhood Improvement Services, said U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development guidelines were raised on April 1.
The average current rental rate for a two-bedroom in the city of Jacksonville is $1,300 a month, Jackson said.
Realistically, a person shouldn’t spend more than 30% of their income on rent, but with what the area median income is in the area, more people are paying more in monthly rental costs.
For example, a teacher who makes around $41,000 a year shouldn’t be paying more than $860 a month in rent, Jackson said. Similarly, a Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune mechanic who makes around $46,000 a year should pay no more than $1,030 a month in rent.
Because of the lack of affordable housing in the area, Jackson said many people are able to get assistance with the city’s program.
Currently, in the Community Development Block Grant program, Jackson said there are five buildable lots, four of which will be developed for affordable housing.
There are also three affordable homes for sale and two homes at 408 and 410 Anne Street that are currently being built and will be available in about 60 days, Jackson said.
“If you think you can qualify, or you know someone who can qualify, make sure that you contact us and we’ll show you how to get into these homes,” she said.
Terrell Blackmon, Jacksonville assistant city manager, said the city has already been working with Carolina Statewide Development and East Carolina Community Development on several projects.
There are also future public-private partnerships being discussed that include transitional housing, land acquisition and infill redevelopment.
For example, the vacant Red Carpet Inn, at 701 North Marine Blvd., is being eyed as a transitional housing site by the United Way of Onslow County and other partners.
“That’s not an easy project to take on,” Blackmon said. “The local realtor association has also been engaged with that project and they’ve actually brought in a team that’s been doing some interviews.
“Our role shouldn’t be real estate developers, but we should be the ones that are out here trying to help facilitate to make sure that all of our citizens have an opportunity to safe and decent housing, whether it’s rental or whether it’s homeownership.”
Jackson said the most recent homeless count for the city of Jacksonville, which was completed in January, was around 140 people, but they believe the number is higher.
There were also a few items approved as part of the council’s consent agenda Tuesday.
In July, the N.C. Department of Transportation is expected to award a construction contract to widen the intersections at Jacksonville Parkway and Gateway Drive North and Western Boulevard and Gateway Drive South, according to Tuesday’s meeting agenda.
As part of the work, DOT will have to relocate city utilities.
Because of the need to relocate, the city’s cost in the project has increased from $167,965 to $369,431.
Water and sewer funding will offset the expenses, according to agenda documents.
The board also approved an item related to the phased development of Patriot Park, located along Piney Green Road and Halltown Road.
The city of Jacksonville, Onslow Water and Sewer Authority, and Ellis Development Group have developed a collaborative agreement to support the project.
According to agenda documents, due to the location of the city’s sewer access, Phase I must begin on the Piney Green Road edge of the development.
However, extending water service from there to the city’s water system at Halltown Road would result in an upfront cost to the development of approximately $800,000, making it too cost prohibitive for the developer.
To overcome the challenge, ONWASA will temporarily provide water service for Phase I via its existing main on Piney Green Road.
The city of Jacksonville will manage customer billing and remit payments to ONWASA under the arrangement, according to agenda documents.
The developer is responsible for constructing the initial connection to ONWASA’s system, and in the future, connecting to the city’s water system as part of Phase II.
A financial guarantee is required to ensure this future connection, which must be completed within seven years.
Additional ad valorem taxes and sewer fees will be collected once the development is constructed.