The 2026 Jacksonville Market Value Analysis recommends action to capitalize on funding opportunities, preserve homeownership and maintain housing affordability
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (November 10, 2026) – The Jessie Ball duPont Fund and Reinvestment Fund shared today the findings of the 2026 Jacksonville Market Value Analysis (MVA) research report, which illustrates a strengthening housing market across Jacksonville. As both housing demand and housing prices increase in many neighborhoods, access to a safe, stable home is out of reach for many as housing becomes less affordable and displacement more likely.
“The MVA is a data-backed tool for public officials, community leaders and private funders to make strategic decisions about investments in housing to generate the greatest benefits for our community,” said Chris Crothers, Senior Program Officer and Director of Impact Investing at the Jessie Ball duPont Fund. “Especially in our increasingly resource-constrained environment, this data is critical for leaders who want to use limited dollars to generate the highest impact.”
The MVA uses a combination of existing data and community-informed conversations to generate a customized look at the challenges and opportunities for the Duval County housing market. Reinvestment Fund analyzes Census block groups in Duval County to measure the strength of each area, including home values, sale prices, permits, foreclosure and utility data. It validates this analysis through in-person stakeholder meetings and ride-alongs to neighborhoods across Duval County. This year’s report is the fourth in a series that has created a trend analysis of more than a decade of housing affordability across Duval County.
Investments Strengthening Markets, But Rising Prices Create Affordability Pressure
The 10-year trend analysis shows that the housing market overall in Jacksonville is much stronger today, with 30% of block groups strengthening since 2014 and about 6% weakening. Foreclosures are about a quarter of what they once were, and vacancies have decreased. Notably, most of the strengthening took place in the areas between Downtown and the suburbs, and most of the remaining areas that are considered “rebuilding” are in the Urban Core.
There has been significant investment and building activity, especially in rebuilding markets since the COVID-19 pandemic. These dynamics can benefit neighborhoods as vacancy and foreclosures decrease and new homes become available, and can benefit existing homeowners as rising sale prices increase equity. At the same time, strengthening markets can lead to affordability challenges and start to push out longtime residents.
MVA data shows that homes in the county’s strongest and middle-market areas are out of reach for a typical Duval County family making our county’s median income. The affordability challenge is even starker when taking into account household demographics: the average Black or Latino household has even fewer options due to lower median incomes.
The data also shows there is rising displacement pressure in the neighborhoods next to Downtown and along US-90, from Downtown to the beach. Many of these areas are home to seniors or lower-income residents who have lived there for many years and are now at risk of being displaced due to factors like rising maintenance and insurance costs, rent increases, or condo conversions.
Action Now Can Help Preserve Options for Our Neighbors
The study identifies three priorities for investing in the changing housing landscape:
First, prioritize opportunities for affordable homeownership, allowing longtime residents to remain in their homes and benefit from rising values.
Next, preserve affordable rent. Within the next 10 years, about 2,100 subsidized rental units at 20 different properties will lose all their affordability restrictions, while private rents are rising.
Lastly, invest in rebuilding neighborhoods to reduce vacancy. Rebuilding neighborhoods represent 26% of the county’s residential parcels, but 71% of water shutoffs, which signal a vacancy.
The report authors at Reinvestment Fund and the Jessie Ball duPont Fund see several actionable insights for policymakers and community leaders interested in supporting meaningful housing work in Jacksonville:
Direct limited subsidies into adding affordable housing options in markets that are strengthening to promote mixed-income communities where amenities and infrastructure already exist.
Target investments in weaker markets that border stronger markets to help tip them toward market strengthening.
Focus on market stabilization and preserving existing affordable housing stock, including by supporting proven organizations, such as the Jacksonville Community Land Trust, which can preserve permanent affordability.
Advance work around heirs’ property and tangled titles so longtime residents who navigated downcycles can build and retain equity as neighborhood values rise.
This data and the recommendations help to inform the work of critical partners in Jacksonville’s housing ecosystem.
“Data like this allows us to be more strategic in our work to build affordable housing for those who need it,” said Chris Folds, CEO at First Coast Habitat for Humanity. “When we understand where the greatest needs are, and where the opportunities for investment exist, our investments can better influence market dynamics for the benefit of neighborhoods and their residents.”
“In 2016, when City Council approved the use of $3.5 million in foreclosure registry funds for neighborhood revitalization, gap financing, and clearing foreclosed homes, the MVA data helped us direct those funds to lift up entire neighborhoods,” said Caleena Shirley, former Housing Property Administrator and Operations Manager for the City of Jacksonville Housing and Community Development Division and currently Real Estate & Lending Officer at LISC Jacksonville. “MVA data is a powerful tool for planning and collaboration with community leaders.”
The full 2026 MVA report is available here and an interactive ArcGIS StoryMap is available here.
