Jacksonville Affordable Housing Trust Fund at center of debate ahead of vote on $2.8M loan for 180 affordable apartments

City Council is expected to vote Tuesday on a deal to help build a new affordable apartment complex in the Spring Park area, near San Diego Road and Spring Park Road.The project would bring about 180 affordable apartments on an 8.74-acre site, with a total price tag estimated at $39 million.The city’s role would be a $2.8 million loan to the developer, Tori Meadows, Ltd. The bill says the loan would be paid once the project is substantially finished, carry 1% interest, and be paid back over 20 years.RELATED | Jacksonville city council passes $2B budget, restores $4.9M in affordable housing fundsThe biggest point of debate during the committee review process was over where that $2.8 million would come from.A Finance Committee substitute would pull the dollars from an Affordable Housing Trust Fund, which had been a contentious part of budget day.Councilman Michael Boylan said he felt the trust was established to assist in home ownership and felt this change went against that.“I feel this