OSCEOLA COUNTY, Fla. – Finding a place to call home in Osceola County is getting harder and more expensive. To help residents navigate the process, the county is hosting a Fair Housing Resource Day, offering guidance on rental assistance and homeownership programs.
Robert Taylor has been searching for housing for some time and says the experience has been anything but simple.
Recommended Videos
“The housing is terrible as far as pricing, it’s very, very high, and most people can’t afford it,” Taylor said.
“And the biggest thing they want is a deposit, outrageous amounts for housing, it’s not good” he said.
The Fair Housing Resource Day aims to provide information on fair housing rights and help residents pre-apply for rental assistance. For Taylor, the event could not come at a better time.
“All I need to know is the time and date and the address, and I’m there,” he told News 6.
The event is not just focused on renters. Organizers are also shining a spotlight on homeownership, a goal that feels out of reach for many as the county continues to grow.
Joan Gomez, an Osceola County resident, says owning a home is something he would like to achieve in the future.
“So, it’s important to grow and have your own house,” Gomez said.
But getting started is the challenge. Like many first-time buyers, the upfront costs are a major barrier.
“Yeah, I believe down payment. Yeah, it’s too high. It’s a high cost to pay a down payment right here, right now. So I believe it is very difficult,” Gomez said.
Redfin reports that in March 2026, home prices in Florida were up 1% compared to the previous year, with a median price of $417,100. In Central Florida, the costs climb even higher. Florida Realtors puts the average single-family home price for March in the Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford area at $448,148.
Attendees will have the opportunity to learn about first-time homebuyer programs and meet directly with lenders to begin the homebuying process, something Gomez believes could make a real difference.
“It can help us to someday get a house,” he said.
The event is on Wednesday from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Archie Gordon Memorial Park, BVL Baseball Fields, 420 Buenaventura Boulevard, Kissimmee, FL 34743. The free event will also provide information on fair housing rights, with light refreshments available while supplies last.