ICARE Celebrates $5 Million for Housing Fund

Faith coalition ICARE marked nearly $5 million placed into Jacksonville's budget to start an Affordable Housing Trust Fund.

Updated on Nov. 10, 2026 in Philanthropy

Isometric editorial illustration of a clear container holding small pale housing blocks, one warm mustard block rising above the rest, on a flat river-edge horizon. — Nearly $5 million was placed into Jacksonville's city budget to start an Affordable Housing Trust Fund, after the fund was voted down in committee and later restored. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Should Jacksonville permanently fund an Affordable Housing Trust Fund to help residents stay housed?

Nearly $5 million was placed into the Jacksonville city budget to start an Affordable Housing Trust Fund, which ICARE, a coalition of faith congregations across the city, celebrated at Riverside Church. The trust fund was voted down in committee before being restored to the budget after residents and supporters appeared at City Hall.

Why it matters

The Rev. Avie Kearney said congregations repeatedly raised concern that housing costs are squeezing working families and seniors. The trust fund is intended to create a long-term pool of money the city can build on for affordable housing.

Nearly $5 million was placed into Jacksonville's city budget to start the Affordable Housing Trust Fund. The source does not provide a comparison to prior funding levels or the total housing budget.

The players

ICARE

ICARE is a coalition of faith congregations across Jacksonville that advocates on civic issues including affordable housing.

Rev. Avie Kearney

The Rev. Avie Kearney is a local faith leader who spoke on behalf of congregations raising concern about housing costs.

The details

The mayor included trust fund dollars in the initial budget proposal, but the fund was voted down in committee before being restored. City Council also considered redirecting a large portion of the trust fund toward a single affordable housing development, a proposal it rejected, leaving the dollars intact.

Monday, November 9, 2026: ICARE celebrated the trust fund budget win at Riverside Church.
Tuesday, November 10, 2026: City Council meeting to discuss legislation creating the trust fund.

Philanthropy Landscape

The Jacksonville trust fund effort reflects faith-based coalitions like ICARE pressing city government to fund affordable housing through dedicated, long-term pools rather than one-time allocations. The effort now moves toward codification as City Council prepares legislation to formally create the fund and identify revenue sources.

If the trust fund is codified, it could create a dedicated city pool for affordable housing that residents can track through future council votes. Residents concerned about housing costs can attend Tuesday's City Council meeting, where ICARE plans to encourage supporters to advocate for the fund.

The takeaway

Community pressure from faith coalitions helped restore funding that had been voted down, showing how sustained public attendance at City Hall can shape budget outcomes. Residents who want the fund codified can watch upcoming council legislation and public meetings.

What happens next

City Council is scheduled to discuss legislation to officially create the Affordable Housing Trust Fund and outline revenue streams at its Tuesday, November 10, 2026 meeting.