ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – As Florida continues to see soaring prices, communities across the state are looking for ways to keep residents from fleeing. That work is ongoing in Central Florida, where leaders are investing millions to make the region a place people can afford to call home.
Barnett Villas, a 156-unit affordable apartment community at 1000 Barnett Villas Drive in Orlando’s Pine Hills neighborhood, is officially open.
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Barnett Villas offers apartments for households earning between 50% and 70% of the area median income.
The project received $6.8 million from Orange County’s Affordable Housing Trust Fund, $2.2 million in impact fee waivers and $2.5 million from the federal American Rescue Plan. The Florida Housing Finance Corporation also contributed $3 million in viability loan funds, bringing the total county investment to $9 million.
The community was developed by Orlando-based Banyan Development Group, which manages more than 9,000 affordable housing units.
Barnett Villas is designed as a green-certified development, featuring Energy Star-rated appliances, ceiling fans, upgraded lighting fixtures, washer and dryer hookups, a clubhouse with a fitness center and on-site business office space. Residents also have access to trails, sports fields and playgrounds at nearby Barnett Park.
For residents like Fred Williams, the community has already exceeded expectations.
“I mean, when I first walked in, I thought I was in Hollywood,” Williams said. “I walked in, the first thing that really took me by surprise was the bathroom, the shower, you know, everything’s nice, neat.”
Williams also appreciates the community’s affordable pricing.
“It’s really helpful and I’m [sure] the rest of the residents feel the same,” Williams said.
Residents at Barnett Villas have access to free support services through The Treehouse Foundation, an Orlando-based nonprofit that offers financial literacy courses, employment assistance and first-time homebuyer education programs.
Barnett Villas is one of several new affordable housing developments taking shape across the region. In Osceola County, St. Cloud is in the process of approving an affordable housing apartment building for its downtown.
Mayor Jerry Demings launched the Housing for All initiative to promote and incentivize the development of affordable and attainable housing in Orange County.
In April, Orange County celebrated the opening of Whispering Oaks, a community for families earning up to 80% of the area’s median income.
Several other projects are in the works as Orange County has committed $160 million to build and preserve affordable housing across the region.
Those include:
- Building a 137-unit complex in west Orlando on South Ivey Lane.
- Rebuilding the former Griffin Park site in Parramore with 725 affordable housing units.
- Redeveloping the Lorna Doone Apartments near Camping World Stadium for seniors.
Williams is on board with the additional units coming to the county because he feels it will benefit many people, including seniors like himself.
“We need more of this, you know, not just here, but, you know, in other locations in the county,” Williams said.
For information on Barnett Villas, click here.