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First Friday: ‘Affordable Housing Matters’ with St. Johns Housing Partnership Debuts May 6 on WFOY

ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. (May 2, 2022) – First Friday, a monthly program about the lack of affordable housing and other housing issues in Northeast Florida, will begin airing this Friday, May 6 at 8:30 a.m. on WFOY 102.1 FM and AM 1240 in cooperation with the St. Johns Housing Partnership (SJHP).

“Being a local station with a long history of focusing on the needs, issues and problems affecting our listing area, First Friday gives us a chance to really create some awareness and discuss solutions to the affordable housing crisis, said Matt Kraycinovich, President, WFOY 102.1 FM and AM 1240.

The half-hour program is scheduled the first Friday of the month and streamed live on the station’s Web site and Facebook page.

Guests will include SJHP Executive Director Bill Lazar and staff, county and city elected officials, housing advocates, researchers and officials, builders and developers and members of the business community to discuss the negative effects of the affordable housing shortage.

“We must do a better job of planning and creating affordable housing. The housing shortage is most acute among affordable homes, where low- and moderate-income renters and younger first-time homebuyers are losing faith that they will be able to experience this part of the American dream,” noted Lazar.

Many in the local workforce, ranging from teachers to restaurant workers, are not able to find decent, safe affordable housing in one of the most prosperous counties in our state. Local businesses are also suffering.

Even first responders, who we rely on for our safety and well-being, are struggling to find affordable shelter. The devastating trickle-down effect is resulting in a loss of qualified employees, recruiting of essential personnel and employees, and reduced hours or even shuttering of local stores, restaurants, and businesses.

If you have property or land, contact the St. Johns Housing Partnership. If you are not able to donate for affordable housing SJHP can possibly purchase and build affordable housing for community members. You can also make a cash donation. SJHP can give you further information about the tax and financial benefits of these and other gift methods.

The St. Johns Housing Partnership is collaborating with builders, developers, housing and health agencies and other stakeholders to bring focus on the crisis to policy and lawmakers.

Contact SJHP at [email protected], call (904) 824-0902 or visit www.sjhp.org.

 

ABOUT THE ST. JOHNS HOUSING PARTNERSHIP

Founded in 1996 the St. Johns Housing Partnership (SJHP) is committed to providing safe, decent, and affordable housing in North Florida. SJHP creates partnerships between public and private sectors including investors on projects that create low- and moderate-income housing, rebuilds neglected homes and revitalizes neighborhoods in disadvantaged areas while supporting programs that enhance community economic and social development including counselling on homeownership and finances. For more information visit www.sjhp.org.