Affordable Housing Apartments Planned at Former Lake Forest Elementary School in Jacksonville, FL

Village at Lake Forest: 120 Affordable Apartments Planned at Former Lake Forest Elementary School Site in Northside of Jacksonville

Northside Jacksonville, FL — A major affordable housing development is officially underway on Jacksonville’s Northside, as leaders gathered to break ground on the Village at Lake Forest, a new community that will transform the former Lake Forest Elementary School site into housing and educational space.

Located at 901 Kennard Street, the project will bring 120 affordable apartment homes to a property that has remained vacant since the school closed in 2019 — marking a significant step forward for redevelopment efforts in the area.

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From Vacant School to Community Asset

The Village at Lake Forest, developed by Ability Housing, represents a unique partnership with Duval County Public Schools aimed at preserving the site’s educational legacy while addressing Jacksonville’s growing housing needs.

In a first-of-its-kind agreement, 25% of the units will be reserved for DCPS faculty and staff, creating a new housing option designed to support recruitment and retention across the district.In addition, DCPS will operate an on-site early learning center, allowing the property to continue serving families and children — even after the original school’s closure.

Affordable Housing for Jacksonville’s Northside

The $46 million development will include five three-story residential buildings offering a mix of one, two, and three-bedroom units.

All apartments will be income-restricted, with most units available to households earning up to 60% of the Area Median Income (AMI), and a portion available up to 80% AMI. Rent pricing will be based on household size and income, following guidelines set by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

Planned amenities include:

• Community center
• Computer lab
• Library
• Flexible spaces for workshops, training, and events

The early learning center will serve both residents and families in the surrounding neighborhood — a feature shaped by community input during the planning process.

Public-Private Partnership Driving the Jacksonville Development Project

The Village at Lake Forest is being delivered through a broad coalition of public and private partners, including the City of Jacksonville, Bank of America, and The Community Foundation for Northeast Florida.

Funding for the project includes:

• $23 million construction loan from Bank of America
• $18.1 million in Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) equity from National Equity Fund
• $10 million permanent mortgage from The Community Preservation Corporation
• $4 million Community Development Block Grant from the City of Jacksonville
• $2.5 million HOME loan from the City
• $2.5 million from the Jacksonville Housing Finance Authority
• $500,000 impact investment from The Community Foundation for Northeast Florida

What’s Next for Village at Lake Forest

Construction is expected to take approximately 18 months, with leasing details to be announced closer to completion.

The project team includes:

• PQH (Architect)
• Elkins Construction, LLC (General Contractor)
• Kennedy Civil Services (Civil Engineer)

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