PINE HILLS, Fla. – With sky-high housing costs in Central Florida, local leaders are trying to create some relief when it comes to housing.
They just cut the ribbon on phase three of Emerald Villas - an affordable apartment complex in Pine Hills.
While it’s called “affordable,” the feel is anything but basic.
Leaders like Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings say it’s housing with amenities built for people who’ve been priced out of the market.
“These people have that opportunity today; some are low-income, some are very low-income persons, but they deserve to have quality housing just like everyone else,” said the mayor.
This property also comes with a past. Demings says years ago, when he worked in law enforcement, this was a place he stopped at often for all the wrong reasons.
But, after a three-phase redevelopment, he claims the site has been transformed.
“There has been a complete transition,” he said. “We have families living here, we have seniors living here and then we have other persons living here. As a result of that, these units are very affordable for people to live in.”
Phase three adds 90 units aimed at households making 50% to 80% of the area median income.
“Florida continues to face some of the worst housing crisis and rising costs in the country, which is why investing in quality affordable housing is more important now than ever,” said U.S. Rep. Maxwell Frost, D-Orlando.
Demings says Emerald Villas is part of a broader push to redevelop Pine Hills.
More projects are on the way.
To check them out, click HERE.