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Jacksonville candidates make housing the central issue, offering zoning changes and public–private partnerships
Summary
Candidates at a Jacksonville forum said housing — both affordability and supply — is the city’s leading challenge, proposing zoning changes, infill development, adaptive reuse and public–private partnerships to expand workforce and affordable units.
At a forum hosted by the Jacksonville Onslow Chamber of Commerce, multiple candidates for city council identified housing as the city’s most pressing problem and outlined a range of proposals to expand supply and preserve affordability. Across wards and at-large races, speakers pointed to rising rents and a shortage of units for working households tied to the growth around Camp Lejeune.
"Affordable housing has declined roughly 40% over the past decade," said Michael Yannaro, a former police chief and at-large candidate, adding that "43% of our households are low to moderate income" and are being priced out by market rents and rising property values. Candidates described this as a structural problem that requires coordinated planning, financing and developer partnerships.
Candidates suggested city actions that include using zoning and ordinances to speed housing production, focusing on infill development, adapting underused buildings for residential use, and requiring mixed-use developments to set aside a share of units at lower income levels. Jerome Willingham urged downtown investment and waterfront redevelopment as catalysts for broader housing and economic gains, while Bridal East Jackson and Brian Jackson described cottage communities, container housing and transitional housing linked to nonprofit services as options.
Several candidates cited tax credits and grant programs as tools to leverage private investment. Cindy Edwards said the city can help ‘‘with land acquisitions’’ and grant structuring, and Michael Yannaro urged partnering with developers and nonprofits to access tax credits and workforce housing programs. Amity Holland warned that approvals must match local income levels so new housing does not sit empty because it is priced above what many residents can afford.
Candidates also pointed to examples elsewhere: multiple speakers referenced Eden Village in Wilmington as a model for private–public collaboration on housing and transitional services. Proposals ranged from modest code changes to more ambitious public land acquisition and grant-supported projects; most candidates emphasized coordinated work with county and federal partners.
The forum offered no formal plan or binding commitments; candidates presented approaches they would pursue if elected. The city’s voters will weigh these competing priorities in the upcoming municipal election.
