Secretary Fudge Visits Local Plagued HUD Housing Locations

Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Marcia L. Fudge and HUD Regional Administrator José Alvarez (Region IV) traveled to Jacksonville to survey the City’s efforts to provide housing and services for people experiencing homelessness. Fudge also highlighted the Biden-Harris Administration’s plan to increase affordable housing supply and lower costs, and met with residents from a number of properties that receive assistance from HUD.

Secretary Fudge was joined by U.S. Representative Al Lawson and Florida State Senator Audrey Gibson for a tour, question and answer session with residents at as well local officials. The tour focused on the Sulzbacher Village, Hilltop Apartments on Moncrief and Valencia Cove (formerly known as Eureka Gardens), with the meeting culminating inside the St. Clair Evans Academy for the listening session.

The Sulzbacher Village tour was an example of what is and not working, the property was built in 2018 and partners with community organizations for job placement, mentoring, life skills training, peer support groups, and mental health counseling.  Eastside Terrace, Valencia Way (formerly known as Eureka Gardens) and Callaway Cove (formerly known as Washington Heights) have been plagued with code violations, violence and poor living conditions. Residents questions centered on mold issues, violence and lack of staff/management accountability. “My goal was to meet and to hear directly from Jacksonville’s community housing residents for acceptable standards. Because the buck stops here with me,” said Secretary Fudge shown with Congressman Al Lawson, Kortney Wesley and Senator Audrey Gibson.