HabiJax History

Since 1988, when nine affordable housing visionaries came together to incorporate Habitat for Humanity of Jacksonville, HabiJax has been sustained by the inspiration and collaboration of many forward-thinking, concerned citizens.  Their accomplishments have enabled HabiJax to build more than 1,500 homes, far surpassing any other local affordable housing provider and any Habitat for Humanity  affiliate in the U.S. Along the way have been many milestones;  the completion of 100 homes in 1994;  200 homes in 2000 during a  Jimmy Carter Work Project that transformed a public housing site into the Fairway Oaks community of 85 single-family homes in only 17 days, plus sent crews to build 16 additional homes on scattered lots in the urban core; and the celebration of the dedication of the 1000th home in December 2002,  At that celebration, the first HabiJax homeowner Myra Harris burned her  mortgage with the help of Habitat founder Millard Fuller and to the applause of a banquet room full of her fellow HabiJax homeowners, staff and supporters.

HabiJax has grown with, and been a catalyst for, the growth of the Jacksonville area into a nationally recognized community that seeks a high quality of life for all citizens. In February 2005, HabiJax proudly celebrated a “coming-of-age” moment for the Jacksonville community by organizing the building of 39 homes in honor of the City of Jacksonville playing host to Super Bowl XXXIX.  These homes, were funded by a $1.9 million community-wide campaign that brought financial support from corporations and businesses, the faith community and individual philanthropists to leverage government funds applied to property acquisition and infrastructure improvements.

In January 2006, HabiJax embarked on another landmark collaboration with the Jacksonville Housing Authority , an urban revitalization project that has not only transformed the landscape but also the lives of 94 families who are creating the neighborhood of McNair Park Villas., In June 2006, HabiJax partnered with the Northeast Florida Builders Association and 22 local member builders to complete 30 homes at McNair Park Villas in a week in recognition of Habitat’s 30th anniversary. The effort built 7 percent of the national production for this Habitat for Humanity anniversary project.

Looking ahead, the HabiJax board is committed to the multifaceted roles of the organization:  builder, developer, underwriter, mortgage lender, community developer, social service provider, affordable housing advocate, and, transcending all, change agent.  The organization has realized the standing of an agent of change because of faith-filled community trustees who have nurtured and sustained the ministry from its infancy.  The creation of a sound financial base has been realized with the leadership gifts of David Hicks, Wayne and Delores Barr Weaver, Michael Cascone, Russell B Newton and board members from year one.  House sponsorships by leading corporations has provided the funds for “sticks & bricks” construction costs, with EverBank (44) and Stein Mart (43) leading the way in numbers of homes sponsored.  And the faith community has invested thousands of hours of sweat equity alongside homeowners to enable HabiJax to build and renovate high quality affordable housing for all God’s people in need.  Building on faith, HabiJax and partners will reach another milestone in 2007 – the construction of house # 1500.  Thanks be to God.  For further information about future initiatives please view our current strategic plan.

The graph above show HabiJax's production since it began in 1988.