Jacksonville Ordinance Code § 51A.101 Authority created.
Sec. 51A.101. - Authority created.
The Jacksonville Housing Authority is hereby created pursuant to the authority of F.S. ch. 421, pt. I.
(Ord. 93-2016-1393, § 2)
JACKSONVILLE HOUSING AUTHORITY ESTABLISHED
Jacksonville Ordinance Code tit. IV, ch. 51A, pt. 1
in effectJacksonville Ordinance Code § 51A.102 Definitions.
Sec. 51A.102. - Definitions.
The following terms, wherever used or referred to in this Part, shall have the following respective meanings for the purposes of this Part, unless a different meaning clearly appears from the context:
(a) Authority or Housing Authority shall mean the public corporation created by F.S. ch. 421, pt. I and established pursuant to Chapter 51A, Ordinance Code.
(b) City shall mean the City of Jacksonville.
(c) Area of operation shall mean all territory lying within the corporate limits of the City of Jacksonville.
(d) Federal Government shall include the United States, the Federal Emergency Administration of Public Works or any other agency or instrumentality, corporate or otherwise, of the United States.
(e) Slum shall mean any area where dwellings predominate which, by reason of dilapidation, overcrowding, faulty arrangement or design, lack of ventilation, light or sanitary facilities, or any combination of these factors, are detrimental to safety, health and morals.
(f) Housing project shall mean any work or undertaking:
(1) To demolish, clear, or remove buildings from any slum area; such work or undertaking may embrace the adaption of such area to public purposes, including parks or other recreational or community purposes; or
(2) To provide decent, safe and sanitary urban or rural dwellings, apartments or other living accommodations for persons of low income; such work or undertaking may include buildings, land, equipment, facilities and other real or personal property for necessary, convenient or desirable appurtenances, streets, sewers, water service, parks, site preparation, gardening, administrative, community, health, recreational, educational, welfare or other purposes; or
(3) To accomplish a combination of the foregoing, the term "housing project" also may be applied to the planning of the buildings and improvements, the acquisition of property, the demolition of existing structures, the construction, reconstruction, alteration and repair of the improvements and all other work in connection therewith.
(g) Persons of low income shall mean persons or families who lack the amount of income which is necessary, as determined by the Authority to enable them, without financial assistance, to live in decent, safe and sanitary dwellings, without overcrowding.
(h) Debentures shall mean any notes, interim certificates, debentures, revenue certificates, or other obligations issued by the Authority pursuant to this Chapter.
(i) Real property shall include all lands, including improvements and fixtures thereon, and property of any nature appurtenant thereto, or used in connection therewith, and every estate, interest and right, legal or equitable, therein, including terms for years and liens by way of judgment, mortgage or otherwise and the indebtedness secured by such liens.
(j) Obligee of the Authority or obligee shall include any holder of debentures, trustee or trustees for any such holders, or lessor demising to the Authority property used in connection with a housing project, or any assignee or assignees of such lessor's interest or any part thereof, and the Federal government when it is a party to any contract with the Authority.
(k) Transition date shall mean that date on which the Housing Authority created herein shall commence operation and the City's Department of Housing and Urban Development shall be abolished and cease to exist. This date shall be the sixtieth calendar day following the effective date of this ordinance.
(l) Transition period shall mean the 60 calendar days commencing on the date following the effective date of the ordinance from which this Section derives.
(Ord. 93-2016-1393, § 2)
Jacksonville Ordinance Code § 51A.103 Appointment, qualifications, and tenure of commissioners; hiring of employees.
Sec. 51A.103. - Appointment, qualifications, and tenure of commissioners; hiring of employees.
(a) Within 60 days of the effective date of this ordinance, the Mayor, subject to confirmation of the Council, shall appoint seven persons as commissioners of the Authority. Three of the commissioners who are first appointed shall be designated to serve for terms of one, two, and three years respectively; the remaining commissioners shall be designated to serve for terms of four years each, from the date of their appointment. Thereafter, each commissioner shall be appointed as aforesaid for a term of office of four years, except that a vacancy shall be filled for the unexpired term by an appointment by the Mayor with the approval of the Council within 60 days after such vacancy occurs. At least one commissioner shall be a resident who is current in rent in a housing project or a person of low or very low income who resides within the Housing Authority's jurisdiction and is receiving rent subsidy through a program administered by the Authority or public housing agency that has jurisdiction for the same locality served by the Housing Authority, which commissioner shall be appointed at the time a vacancy exists. The cessation of a tenant-commissioner's tenancy in a housing project or the cessation of rent subsidy shall remove such tenant-commissioner from office, and another person meeting the qualifications required for the office shall be appointed for the unexpired portion of the term. After all reasonable efforts have been made and documented, if the commissioners find that no housing project resident or rent subsidy recipient is available to serve as a tenant-commissioner, the existing vacancy shall then be filled through the normal appointment procedures set forth in this subsection. However, such normal appointment shall not preclude the requirement to exercise diligence in all succeeding vacancies to attempt to first appoint a tenant-commissioner until at least one tenant-commissioner has been appointed. No commissioner of the Authority may be an officer or employee of the City. A commissioner shall hold office until his successor has been appointed and has qualified. A commissioner shall receive no compensation for his services, but he shall be entitled to the necessary expenses, including travel expenses, incurred in the discharge of his duties. The requirements of this subsection with respect to the number of commissioners of the Authority apply without regard to the date on which the Authority is created.
(b) The powers of the Authority shall be vested in the commissioners thereof in office from time to time. A majority of the commissioners shall constitute a quorum of the Authority for the purpose of conducting its business and exercising its powers and for all other purposes. Action may be taken by the Authority upon a vote of a majority of the commissioners present, unless in any case the bylaws of the Authority require a larger number. The Mayor shall designate which of the commissioners appointed shall be the first chairman, who shall serve for a period of one year and thereafter the Authority shall select from among its commissioners a chairman each year to serve on an annual basis or, in the event a vacancy occurs in the office of chairman, to fill such vacancy for the remainder of the unexpired term. The Authority shall select from among its commissioners a vice-chairman; and it may employ a secretary, who shall be the executive director, technical experts, and such other officers, agents, and employees, permanent and temporary, as it may require and shall determine their qualifications, duties, and compensation. For such legal services as it may require, the Authority shall call upon the General Counsel of the City of Jacksonville. The Authority may delegate to one or more of its agents or employees such powers or duties as it may deem proper.
(Ord. 93-2016-1393, § 2; Ord. 2016-731-E, § 1)
Jacksonville Ordinance Code § 51A.104 Commissioners or employees prohibited from acquiring interest in housing projects and required to disclose interests in specified properties; exception.
Sec. 51A.104. - Commissioners or employees prohibited from acquiring interest in housing projects and required to disclose interests in specified properties; exception.
Except for the leasehold interest held by a tenant-commissioner in the housing project in which he is a tenant, no commissioner or employee of the Authority shall acquire any interest, direct or indirect, in any housing project or in any property included or planned to be included in any project, nor shall he or she have any interest, direct or indirect, in any contract or proposed contract for materials or services to be furnished or used in connection with any housing project. If a commissioner or employee of the Authority owns or controls an interest, direct or indirect, in any property included or planned to be included in any housing project, he shall immediately disclose the same in writing to the Authority. Such disclosure shall be entered upon the minutes of the Authority. Failure so to disclose such interest constitutes misconduct in office.
(Ord. 93-2016-1393, § 2)
Jacksonville Ordinance Code § 51A.105 Removal of commissioners.
Sec. 51A.105. - Removal of commissioners.
For inefficiency or neglect of duty or misconduct in office, a commissioner of the Authority may be removed by the Mayor with the concurrence of the Council, but a commissioner shall be removed only alter he shall have been given a copy of the charges at least ten days prior to the hearing thereon and had an opportunity to be heard in person or by counsel before the City Council. In the event of the removal of any commissioner, a record of the proceedings, together with the charges and findings thereon, shall be filed with the Council Secretary.
(Ord. 93-2016-1393, § 2)
Jacksonville Ordinance Code § 51A.106 Powers of Authority.
Sec. 51A.106. - Powers of Authority.
The Authority shall constitute a public body corporate and politic, exercising all the powers of a housing authority set forth in F.S. § 421.08, as may be further amended, and having all the powers necessary or convenient to effectuate the purpose and provisions of this Chapter and F.S. Ch. 421, including, but not limited to, the following powers herein granted:
(a) To sue and be sued; to have a seal and to alter the same at pleasure; to have perpetual succession; to make and execute contracts and other instruments necessary or convenient to the exercise of the powers of the Authority; to appear in court through any of its officers, agents, or employees, for the exclusive purpose of filing eviction papers; and to make and from time to time amend and repeal bylaws, rules and regulations, not inconsistent with this Chapter, to carry into effect the powers and purposes of the Authority.
(b) Within its area of operation, to prepare, carry out, acquire, lease, and operate housing projects; to provide for the construction, reconstruction, improvement, alteration, or repair of any housing project or any part thereof.
(c) To arrange or contract for the furnishing by any person or agency, public or private, of services, privileges, works, or facilities for, or in connection with, a housing project or the occupants thereof; provided, however, that notwithstanding any other power or provision in this Chapter, the Authority shall not construct, lease, control, purchase, or otherwise establish in connection with or as a part of any housing project or any other real or any property under its control, any system, work, facilities, plants, or other equipment for the purpose of furnishing utility service of any kind to such projects or to any tenant or occupant thereof in the event that a system, work, facility, plant, or other equipment for the furnishing of the same utility service is being actually operated by a municipality or private concern in the area of operation or the City or the territory immediately adjacent thereto; provided, further, that nothing herein shall be construed to prohibit the construction or acquisition by the Authority of any system, work, facilities, or other equipment for the sole and only purpose of receiving utility services from any such municipality or such private concern and then distributing such utility services to the project and to the tenants and occupants thereof; and, notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Chapter or in any other provision of law, to include in any contract let in connection with a project, stipulations requiring that the contractor and any subcontractors comply with requirements as to minimum wages and maximum hours of labor, and comply with any conditions which the Federal Government may have attached to its financial aid of the project.
(d) To lease or rent any dwellings, houses, accommodations, lands, buildings, structures, or facilities embraced in any housing project and, subject to the limitations contained in this Chapter, to establish and revise the rents or charges therefor; to own, hold, and improve real or personal property; to purchase, lease, obtain options upon, acquire by gift, grant, bequest, devise, or otherwise any real or personal property or any interest therein; to acquire by the exercise of the power of eminent domain any real property; to sell, lease, exchange, transfer, assign, pledge, or dispose of any real or personal property or any interest therein; to insure or provide for the insurance of any real or personal property or operations of the Authority against any risks or hazards; to procure or agree to the procurement of insurance or guarantees from the Federal Government of the payment of any such debts or parts thereof, whether or not incurred by the Authority, including the power to pay premiums on any such insurance.
(e) To invest any funds held in reserves or sinking funds, or any funds not required for immediate disbursement, in property or securities in which savings banks may legally invest funds subject to their control; to purchase its debentures at a price not more than the principal amount thereof and accrued interest, all debentures so purchased to be cancelled.
(f) Within its area of operation: to investigate into living, dwelling, and housing conditions and into the means and methods of improving such conditions; to determine where slum areas exist or where there is a shortage of decent, safe, and sanitary dwelling accommodations for persons of low income; to make studies and recommendations relating to the problem of clearing, replanning, and reconstruction of slum areas and the problem of providing dwelling accommodations for persons of low income; to administer fair housing ordinances and other ordinances as adopted by cities, counties, or other authorities who wish to contract for administrative services and to cooperate with the City, the State or any political subdivision thereof in action taken in connection with such problems; and to engage in research, studies, and experimentation on the subject of housing.
(g) Acting through one or more commissioners or other person or persons designated by the Authority; to conduct examinations and investigations and to bear testimony and take proof under oath at public or private hearings on any matter material for its information; to administer oaths, issue subpoenas requiring the attendance of witnesses or the production of books and papers and to issue commissions for the examination of witnesses who are outside of the State or unable to attend before the Authority, or excused from attendance; to make available to appropriate agencies, including those charged with the duty of abating or requiring the correction of nuisances or like conditions, or of demolishing unsafe or insanitary structures within its area of operation, its findings and recommendations with regard to any building or property where conditions exist which are dangerous to the public health, morals, safety, or welfare.
(h) To exercise all or any part or combination of powers herein granted. No provisions of law with respect to acquisition, operation, or disposition of property by other public bodies shall be applicable to the Authority unless the legislature shall specifically so state.
(i) To exercise any other powers granted to a housing authority pursuant to F.S. Ch. 421, as may be further amended.
(Ord. 93-2016-1393, § 2; Ord. 2016-731-E, § 2)
Jacksonville Ordinance Code § 51A.107 Operation not for profit.
Sec. 51A.107. - Operation not for profit.
The Housing Authority shall manage and operate its housing projects in an efficient manner so as to enable it to fix the rentals for dwelling accommodations at the lowest possible rates consistent with its providing decent, safe and sanitary dwelling accommodations, and shall not construct or operate any such project for profit, or as a source of revenue to the City. To this end the Authority shall fix the rentals for dwellings in its project at no higher rate than it shall find to be necessary in order to produce revenues which, together with all other available moneys, revenue, income and receipts of the Authority from whatever sources derived, will be sufficient:
(a) To pay, as the same shall become due, the principal and interest on the debentures of the Authority;
(b) To meet the cost of, and to provide for, maintaining and operating the projects, including the cost of any insurance, and the administrative expenses of the Authority; and
(c) To create, during not less than the six years immediately succeeding its issuances of any debentures, a reserve sufficient to meet the largest principal and interest payments which will be due on such debentures in any one year thereafter, and to maintain such reserve.
(Ord. 93-2016-1393, § 2)
Jacksonville Ordinance Code § 51A.108 Financial accounting and investments; fiscal year.
Sec. 51A.108. - Financial accounting and investments; fiscal year.
(a) A complete and full financial accounting and audit in accordance with federal audit standards of the Authority shall be made biennially by a certified public accountant. A copy of such audit shall be filed with the Council Secretary and with the State Auditor General.
(b) The fiscal year of the Authority shall be the fiscal year established by the Federal Government.
(Ord. 93-2016-1393, § 2)
Jacksonville Ordinance Code § 51A.109 Rentals and tenant selection.
Sec. 51A.109. - Rentals and tenant selection.
(a) In the operation or management of housing projects the Housing Authority shall at all times observe the following duties with respect to rentals and tenants selection:
(1) It may rent or lease the dwelling accommodations therein only to persons of low income and at rentals within the financial reach of such persons of low income;
(2) It may rent or lease to a tenant dwelling accommodations consisting of the number of rooms, but no greater number, which it deems necessary to provide safe and sanitary accommodations to the proposed occupants thereof, without overcrowding; and
(3) It shall accept any person as a tenant in any housing project according to the appropriate guidelines as established by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development or other federal agencies.
(b) Nothing contained in this Section or Section 51A.106 shall be construed as limiting the power of the Authority to vest in an obligee the right, in the event of a default by the Authority, to take possession of a housing project or cause the appointment of a receiver thereof, free from all the restrictions imposed by this or the preceding Section.
(c) This Section shall not apply to housing facilities financed by loans made for the purpose of providing such facilities for domestic farm labor pursuant to Section 514 of the Federal Housing Act of 1949.
(Ord. 93-2016-1393, § 2)
Jacksonville Ordinance Code § 51A.110 Eminent domain.
Sec. 51A.110. - Eminent domain.
The Authority shall have the right to acquire by the exercise of the power of eminent domain any real property which it may deem necessary for its purposes under this Chapter after the adoption by it of a resolution declaring that the acquisition of the real property described therein is necessary for such purposes. The Authority may exercise the power of eminent domain in the manner provided in F.S. ch. 73 and F.S. ch. 74. Property already devoted to a public use may be acquired in like manner, provided that no real property belonging to the City, the State or any political subdivision thereof may be acquired without its consent.
(Ord. 93-2016-1393, § 2)
Jacksonville Ordinance Code § 51A.111 Planning, zoning and building laws.
Sec. 51A.111. - Planning, zoning and building laws.
All housing projects of the Authority shall be subject to the planning, zoning, sanitary and building laws, ordinances and regulations applicable to the locality in which the housing project is situated. In the planning and location of any housing project, the Authority shall take into consideration the relationship of the project to any larger plan or long-range program for the development of the area in which the Authority functions.
(Ord. 93-2016-1393, § 2)
Jacksonville Ordinance Code § 51A.112 Debentures.
Sec. 51A.112. - Debentures.
The Authority may issue debentures from time to time in its discretion, for any of its corporate purposes, pursuant to the requirements and restrictions set forth in F.S. ch. 421.
(Ord. 93-2016-1393, § 2)
Jacksonville Ordinance Code § 51A.113 Annual presentation of affordable housing programs and goals required.
Sec. 51A.113. - Annual presentation of affordable housing programs and goals required.
The Authority, through its Chief Executive Officer or designee, shall annually present in person and in writing to the Council committee of reference tasked with reviewing and making recommendations on measures addressing housing and the Council committee of reference tasked with reviewing and making recommendations on finance and budget matters, a report regarding the Authority's affordable housing programs, its collaborative efforts with other entities focused on addressing housing issues, and its goals for the upcoming fiscal year. The chair of each Council committee shall provide notice to the Authority of the presentation date, which shall be in August of each year. The Authority shall file a copy of the written report with the Council Secretary on or prior to August 30 of each year.
(Ord. 2024-113-E, § 1)
Source: City of Jacksonville, Ordinance Code and Charter and Related Laws (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/fl/jacksonville/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=TITIVBOCO_CH51AJAHOAU_PT1JAHOAUESFetched: 10/27/2026