During the groundbreaking ceremony Saturday morning, officials announced the new neighborhood will be called Coastal Haven.“Certainly is a special day and probably eight or nine years to make this day happen but these are some of the best,” President and CEO of Beaches Habitat for Humanity Steve Gilbert said.The four-acre lot, located on Mayport Road, took years to put together because the organization needed to buy it one parcel at a time.
“Let me say this about the importance of affordable housing. It’s not just about giving people lower-cost housing. It’s about the vibrancy of a community, especially when that affordable housing is homes that are owned by individuals and families. This is the bedrock of our American values and the ability in America to get ahead,” Atlantic Beach Mayor Curtis Ford said.Applications for this new neighborhood are expected to open in July.
Chris Will has joined the News4JAX team as a weekend morning reporter, after graduating from the University of Florida in spring 2024. During his time in Gainesville, he covered a wide range of stories across the Sunshine State. His coverage of Hurricane Ian in southwest Florida earned a National Edward R. Murrow Award.