The Florida Star Newspaper

20/07/2025

Jacksonville Residents Get a Head Start on Homeownership with New Incentive Program

For many renters in Jacksonville, the dream of homeownership feels just out of reach. Rising prices, upfront costs, and limited inventory have made it harder than ever to take the first step toward building long-term stability and wealth for families.

But a local company is changing that narrative.
JWB Rental Homes, one of Jacksonville’s largest affordable housing providers, launched the HomeStep Program to help bridge the gap between renting and owning. The program rewards current JWB residents for what they’re already doing: paying rent on time each month.

With each on-time rent payment, residents earn $100 in credit toward the purchase of a home of their own. Over time, those credits can add up to $3,600 - money that can be applied toward closing costs or down payment. Residents can begin using those rewards after just 12 months of renting their home.

“Homeownership is really important to building neighborhoods, to building generational wealth, and we want to be more of a part of that,” said JWB President Alex Sifakis. “The Homestep program is an investment in our residents' futures and in the strength of our community."

Since launching the program in 2024, more than 2,900 residents have enrolled, and 18 renters have already become homeowners. It’s part of JWB’s $16 million commitment to give back to the Jacksonville community, focusing on making homeownership more attainable for working families.

While the HomeStep Program is only available to current JWB residents, it’s becoming a factor for renters looking to relocate.

“For people searching for their next rental home, this program is a major value-add,” Sifakis explained. “You can rent with us now, and start earning toward your future home at the same time.”
Whether you’re already living in a JWB home or thinking about making the switch, the HomeStep Program offers a rare chance to turn monthly rent into real ownership potential.
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Learn more about how the HomeStep Program can help carve your path to homeownership at jwbrentalhomes.com/homestep.

20/07/2025

09/07/2025

The Vanguard Show Special with guest Opio Lumumba Sokoni by Vanguard Show Host: Malik Ismail

05/07/2025

Business Expo Jacksonville 2025, presented by Coastal Today Magazine. Click on the link below to get tickets!

Get ready for the ultimate Business Expo in Jacksonville 2025, where networking, innovation, and growth collide in one epic event!

01/07/2025

📣 Mark Your Calendar: July 12!
Join us at Business Expo Jacksonville 2025, featuring this year’s powerhouse Keynote Speaker, Patrice McClendon!

Patrice will bring the energy, insight, and inspiration you need to grow, lead, and thrive with purpose in today’s business world. You don’t want to miss what she has to share!

🎟️ Grab your tickets now:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/business-expo-jacksonville-2025-tickets-1234199216079?aff=oddtdtcreator

28/06/2025

🚨Get ready for the Inaugural Business Expo Jacksonville 2025

A full day dedicated to networking, inspiration, shopping, and growth!

🎟️ Get Your Tickets Today! Click the link below: BusinessExpoJacksonville.Eventbrite.com

📅 Date: Saturday, July 12, 2025
🕚 Time: 11 AM – 6 PM (EDT)
📍 Venue: Aloft Jacksonville Tapestry Park, 4812 W Deer Lake Dr W, Jacksonville, FL 32246

50 + Vendors, Food Trucks, Food, Music, Fashion, Shopping, AND SO MUCH MORE!

20/06/2025

The Glynn County Board of Commissioners and County Manager William Fallon are pleased to announce the appointment of Brittany Dozier as the new Director of Communications for Glynn County Government.

Brittany brings more than a decade of experience in communications, journalism, and public relations to the role. Most recently, she served as the Public Relations Specialist for the Glynn County School System. Prior to that, she led marketing communications and crisis messaging efforts at the College of Coastal Georgia and began her career as the Lifestyle Editor for The Brunswick News, where she developed a strong foundation in writing, editorial planning, and community coverage.

“We are excited to have Brittany join our team and help us with our communication, community engagement and transparency efforts,” said County Manager William Fallon. “Brittany brings great experience and a strong history of working in public affairs in Glynn County.”

Brittany’s work in education and public relations has been recognized with numerous awards, including top honors from both the Georgia School Public Relations Association and the Georgia Press Association. She also maintains active FEMA training in crisis communication and is certified in Critical Incident Stress Management, skills that will support Glynn County’s ongoing commitment to emergency preparedness and public information.

In addition to her professional roles, Brittany is deeply involved in the local community as a board member for Golden Isles Arts and Humanities.

She holds a journalism degree from Georgia Southern University saying, “I’m honored to step into this role and serve the residents of Glynn County. My goal is to ensure the communication is clear, timely and accessible to everyone. I look forward to building strong connections, and sharing the important work being done across our county.”

Chairman of the Glynn County Board of Commissioners Walter Rafolski praised the selection: “Brittany has already demonstrated a strong commitment to our community through her work and service. We believe her leadership and energy will help advance our efforts to keep citizens informed, engaged, and connected.”

Brittany will begin her new role June 29th and looks forward to helping lead strategic communication and public outreach initiatives that serve all residents of Glynn County.

20/06/2025

After a pretty lengthy extension of session, I can finally say we have finished! I was officially able to secure over 19 million dollars for our local community!

19/06/2025