Jacksonville Community Land Trust

What is the core mission of your organization? The core mission of the Jacksonville Community Land Trust (JCLT) is to create and preserve permanently affordable housing in Jacksonville by removing land from the speculative market and ensuring long-term stability for individuals and families.

We are committed to building equitable neighborhoods, preventing displacement, and empowering residents to build wealth through homeownership — all while keeping housing affordable for generations to come.

How do you measure impact and success in your programs? At the Jacksonville Community Land Trust (JCLT), we measure impact and success through a combination of quantitative outcomes and long-term community benefit. Key indicators include:

1. Number of permanently affordable homes created or preserved
2. Households served, specifically those earning 80% or less of the area median income
3. Homeowner stability and retention, showing that families can remain in place
4. Community reinvestment, such as increased neighborhood engagement and improvements
5. Affordability over time, ensuring resale prices remain accessible for future buyers

Ultimately, success means more than just building homes — it’s about creating opportunities for families to build equity, preserving affordability for future generations, and contributing to neighborhoods where people can live, grow, and thrive.

What are your biggest fundraising or outreach challenges? One of our biggest fundraising and outreach challenges at the Jacksonville Community Land Trust is what we often describe as a “Catch-22”: in order to earn the trust and investment needed to grow, we need to build homes — but to build homes, we need that trust and investment.

Because our model focuses on permanent affordability, it takes time to show the full impact — and many funders and partners want to see results up front. We’re committed to long-term solutions, not quick wins, which means our work often requires visionary support before we can fully demonstrate our success.

Breaking through that cycle requires strong relationships, clear communication, and shared belief in a future where affordable housing is not just a one-time fix, but a lasting solution.

How do you build long-term relationships with donors and supporters? We build long-term relationships with donors and supporters by treating them like part of the family — because that’s truly what they become.

At the Jacksonville Community Land Trust, every donor and supporter is more than a funding source; they’re a partner in a shared mission. We keep our supporters closely connected to the impact of their giving through personal updates, stories of the families they’re helping, and opportunities to engage with the work firsthand.

We’re transparent, we listen, and we celebrate every milestone together — whether it’s a groundbreaking, a closing day, or the smile of a first-time homeowner. Over time, that consistent connection turns into something deeper: a shared sense of purpose and pride.

When people give to JCLT, they’re not just writing a check — they’re planting roots alongside us, helping build a Jacksonville where everyone has a fair shot at homeownership, stability, and a future. And once you see that kind of impact up close, it’s hard not to be all in.

Can you share a story that shows your mission in action? Let me tell you about one of our first applicants. 🏡 A Story of Homeownership and Hope
When he came to the Jacksonville Community Land Trust, he was frustrated — and rightfully so. After months of searching, he couldn’t find a single home within his price range that was truly livable. As he shared with our Board of Directors, every home he toured was either unsafe, uninhabitable, or in such disrepair that any attempt to fix it would push it far beyond what he could afford.

But that changed when he connected with JCLT.

Instead of trying to fit him into an existing, broken system, we worked with him to develop a plan for new construction — within his budget. Suddenly, homeownership wasn’t just possible — it was a good, stable, community-centered option. Not only would he own his home, but he’d also live in a neighborhood where he could know his neighbors, get involved, and feel a sense of pride and belonging.

And when the time comes for him to move on, he knows that home won’t be lost to speculation or rising prices — it will remain affordable for the next family, just like it was for him. That’s the power of permanent affordability — and that’s the heart of our mission in action.

What keeps you motivated in this work? I believe with all my heart that every person deserves a place to call home — without fear of rising rent, unexpected eviction, or losing stability because someone else decided their future for them. Housing is dignity. Housing is security. And I believe all people, regardless of income or background, deserve that chance.

For years, I’ve had the privilege of helping people who often just didn’t know what options were available to them. Being able to say, “We may have an answer for you,” is one of the greatest blessings of my life. I’ve been deeply enriched by the people I’ve met — people who have felt overlooked or invisible in a system that rarely works in their favor.

And through this work, I get to say, “We see you. You matter. You belong.”
That’s what keeps me going.