HabiJax merges with Nassau Habitat for Humanity; to serve Duval, Nassau and Baker counties

Habitat for Humanity of Jacksonville has merged with Nassau Habitat for Humanity, with the new entity providing affordable housing to low-to-moderate income residents of Nassau, Baker and Duval counties.

Land availability and increasing construction costs, as well as dramatic increases in monthly rental costs and home prices, prompted the two affiliates of the international Habitat organization to unite their resources and talent, according to a news release.

Monte Walker is president and CEO of the Jacksonville affiliate, also known as HabiJax.

“Our capacity to help grow the mission in fast-growing Nassau County, coupled with the passion of staff and volunteers already active in that community, will provide more opportunities to residents there in need of an affordable place to live,” he said.

Beaches Habitat for Humanity will continue to serve the coastal portion of Duval, and Clay and St. Johns counties have their own affiliates. Baker will now be served by the combined Jacksonville-Nassau organization.

Barnes Moore, president of Nassau Habitat’s board of directors, will serve on the new organization’s board along with other county leaders.

“To be able to call upon the experience, resources and capacity of … HabiJax as we retain our community presence and focus on our neighbors,” he said, “makes this new operating model a unique opportunity that will benefit so many people across the region.”

A local office and staff will be maintained in Nassau, but the new organization’s main administrative office is at the Jessie Ball duPont Center, 40 E Adams St., Suite 200, in Jacksonville.

The organization will soon get a new name “reflecting its broader footprint,” which first has to be approved by Habitat International, HabiJax communications director Kevin Collison said. “We want to ensure that this new name conveys our rootedness in multiple communities — not just Jacksonville — while also avoiding confusion with other local affiliates.”

A town hall meeting about the merger will be at 5:30 p.m. Feb. 6 at First Baptist Church of Macclenny. Another meeting is being planned for Yulee.

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This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Jacksonville, Nassau Habitat affiliates merge affordable housing work