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United Way-led eviction diversion program credited with keeping 84% of participants housed for six months
Summary
United Way of Northeast Florida and partners told the City Council Neighborhoods Committee that the Jacksonville Eviction Diversion Program has helped 383 families since February 2024, with city and mayoral funding and a request to include funding for 2027 in the mayor's proposed budget.
United Way of Northeast Florida and partners briefed the Jacksonville City Council Neighborhoods Committee on the Jacksonville Eviction Diversion Program on Oct. 20, saying the program has kept the majority of participants in their homes.
The program, initiated through the council's Community Quality of Life Initiative and led by Councilman Michael Boylan and Councilman Freeman, has served 383 families through September 2025, Melanie Patz, president and CEO of United Way of Northeast Florida, told the committee. "Eighty-four percent of the families remain stably housed six months after participating," Patz said.
Why it matters: Committee members said preventing evictions reduces downstream costs for homelessness services and public-safety responses. The program pairs case management with legal screening and landlord consent to direct payments to landlords, partners said, and city and federal dollars have supported the effort.
What partners told the committee
Patz said initial 2024…
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