Jacksonville, Fla. (April 1, 2026) — United Way of Northeast Florida is thrilled to announce it has received $1 million from The Jim Moran Foundation to support a critical housing challenge in our region. The million-dollar grant, given in celebration of The Jim Moran Foundation’s 25th anniversary, will expand United Way’s existing Home Repair Program in North Riverside and on the Historic Eastside to New Town and Robinson’s Addition. 

The combination of aging homes, low homeowner incomes and a substantial senior population in these neighborhoods demonstrates the clear and urgent need for this expansion that The Jim Moran Foundation grant will make possible.

“We are incredibly grateful to The Jim Moran Foundation for this life-changing investment,” said Melanie Patz, United Way of Northeast Florida president and CEO.  “For many older adults in long-neglected communities, a repaired roof, working plumbing or safe flooring can mean the difference between independence and displacement. This grant allows us to restore not just homes but dignity and stability for our neighbors who need it most.” 

The impact of this investment in home repairs directly aligns with United Way’s long-term, strategic commitment to address housing challenges in Jacksonville. As part of the organization’s recently announced 2030 strategic plan, the outcomes expected from this grant — providing repairs for 45 households — deliver on the organization’s ALICE Promise, a bold commitment to community-driven solutions for financial instability among families living below the ALICE Threshold. Specifically, United Way aims to repair 450 senior-owned homes by 2030, with dozens of homes already completed prior to The Jim Moran Foundation grant. 

A staggering 39.6% of households in Northeast Florida face financial hardship, according to the latest ALICE report from United Way and its research partner United For ALICE. This population includes households living in poverty and those known as ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed).  

To qualify for United Way’s Home Repair Program, a homeowner must be 65 or older living in one of the targeted neighborhoods, hold a clear property deed, and have no outstanding taxes or liens. Their home must also need repairs that directly address safety and habitability, including roofing deficiencies, plumbing and sewer failures, non-functioning HVAC systems, electrical hazards, and structural flooring damage. Repairs will be prioritized based on severity and long-term impact on the home’s overall stability. Implementation of United Way’s Home Repair Program is led by neighborhood-based organizations and Groundwork Jacksonville, who will be sharing more information with residents in the coming weeks. United Way will also bring on additional partners to increase capacity of the program and allow for completion of more repairs across a larger section of the community. 

“When seniors can safely remain in their homes, it strengthens the entire neighborhood,” said James Ellout, vice president of community impact at United Way. “Targeted home repairs help preserve housing affordable for low-income families, prevent costly displacement and reduce strain on available community resources. It’s not just the right thing to do for older adults. It’s a smart investment in stronger neighborhoods and a more stable local economy.” 

The Jim Moran Foundation’s grant to support United Way’s housing strategy is the latest in several million dollars United Way has committed stabilizing housing in Jacksonville. In 2023, United Way announced a $10 million commitment of MacKenzie Scott funding for home repairs, new development and community development corporation (CDC) capacity-building. Since that announcement in 2023, other organizations have invested in United Way’s housing work, including JPMorganChase, the Jessie Ball duPont Fund and First Horizon Bank. This brings United Way’s total commitment to housing solutions to $11.7 million. 

Jim Moran established The Jim Moran Foundation in 2000 to ensure his giving back to children and families would continue for many generations to come. To recognize this 25-year milestone, The Foundation committed more than $27 million in addition to its traditional grantmaking to support nonprofit partners that are meeting the ever-changing needs of the community in Broward, Duval and Palm Beach counties. 

“Through this special funding, we are happy to join with United Way to help seniors feel valued and cared for while living independently,” said Jan Moran, chairman and president of The Jim Moran Foundation. 

For questions regarding this grant, United Way’s housing investments and/or the organization’s housing strategy, email Sarah Henderson Daugherty at sarahd@nulluwnefl.org. She can also arrange media interviews with United Way leadership. More information on United Way, including the ALICE population and United Way’s strategic plan, can be found at unitedwaynefl.org. 

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