With new owners, โFlorida Projectโ motel dwellers must leave
Residents at a motel along a tourist strip not far from Walt Disney World that was used as the setting for the 2017 film โThe Florida Projectโ were told that they must vacate on short-notice because the complex has been sold to another owner.
House-hacking: How some Central Florida millennials are affording the American Dream
As home prices and mortgage rates climb, some folks wanting to buy their first home are having to get creative. News 6 investigator Merris Badcock spoke to Orlando homeowners who figured out how to buy their first homes making less than $50,000 dollars a year.
Study finds Florida has high home vacancy rates. Hereโs why
Even with home prices skyrocketing and low inventory, a recent Lending Tree study found Florida is one of the top states with the highest vacancy rates. While realtors and economists said this may seem shocking, knowing that information can help homebuyers make better decisions.
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What is a community land trust?: A look at one solution to the affordable housing crisis
The affordable housing crisis is worsening by the day, with the housing supply at an all-time low and rents reaching sky high numbers, but there are people, projects and organizations out there dedicated to combating the crisis.
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How community land trusts can help stem affordable housing crisis
No matter where you live in the U.S., it's likely your community struggles with the issue of affordable housing. The Solutionaries team spent the summer looking at some of the systemic ways in which the housing crisis might be stemmed. One fix we looked at both in Orlando and Detroit is a system known as a "community land trust."
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Construction underway on affordable apartments for seniors in Orange County
ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. โ A new affordable housing neighborhood for seniors is coming to Pine Hills. Hawthorne Park Apartments is a $27 million construction project that will help low-income seniors who need an affordable home in Orange County. AdOfficials explained more than 100,000 people in Orange County spend a third of their income on housing payments, most of them seniors. More affordable housing coming to Pine Hills. Orange County Mayor Demings says the 27 million dollar project will help low-income seniors.
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New affordable housing for seniors opens in Pine Hills
ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. โ Nearly 100 new units at the Preserve at Emerald Villas in Pine Hills will now be the home to dozens of seniors in Orange County. The $19 million project was designed to help seniors who earn from 40% to 60% of the area median income. โThis is an opportunity for us to have a public, private partnership to address the deficit of affordable housing here in our community,โ Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings said. The property was bought back in 2011 and was in deep foreclosure then became the second phase of development at Emerald Villas affordable housing. Pozzo said less than 20 units are still available for seniors at the Preserve at Emerald Villas.
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Universal Resorts looking for developer to create affordable housing project
Universal Parks & Resorts is looking for a developer who can bring their vision of affordable housing to fruition. The affordable housing community will sit on a 20-acre site that the company has pledged for exclusive use in an effort to help one of the regionโs most challenging problems: the lack of affordable housing. Officials said Universal will donate the land to a nonprofit entity and work with the developer to ensure the property is used for affordable housing in perpetuity. Universal said it will manage the developer selection process and will also work to create the development agreement with Orange County. And the benefits to our community will be real.โFor more information on the new initiative, click or tap here.
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Gov. DeSantis extends temporary ban on evictions hours before it was set to expire
Ron DeSantis issued the extension on the executive order hours before the current order was set to expire. PREVIOUS STORY:The temporary ban on evictions and foreclosures in Florida put in place by Gov. DeSantis issued an executive order in April placing a moratorium, or hold, on evictions due to nonpayment of monthly rent or mortgages. Last week, DeSantis announced $240 million in funding for rental assistance for affordable housing tenants, along with rent and mortgage assistance. Locally, several Central Florida counties are offering rent assistance or financial help through federal CARES Act grants and pandemic assistance.
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Central Florida leaders discuss housing, evictions amid global pandemic
ORLANDO, Fla. โ Heart of Florida United Way CEO Jeff Hayword said the COVID-19 pandemic continues to have economic consequences for Central Floridians. On Wednesday, he held a meeting with local leaders to discuss what he calls a housing crisis in the community. From March 17, 2019, to June 17, 2019, there were over 2,300 residential eviction cases filed in Orange County. In the same period of 2020, there have been less than 300 residential eviction cases filed. Tiffany Moore Russell, with the Orange County Clerk of Courts, said July though October is typically when they see a high peak in evictions.
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Osceola County buys $8.9 million land for affordable housing
OSCEOLA COUNTY, Fla. โ This month, the Osceolaโs Board of County commissioners approved investing $8.9 million to buy an 82-acre property right that is walking distance to the Poinciana SunRail station. โA lot of times people say, โWe need affordable housing, you need to make them put in that affordable housing,โโ Grieb said about development on land the county doesnโt own. According to a study by the Orlando Economic Partnership, Osceola County is the fastest-growing county in our region. Osceola County also created a fund that designated $1 million to pay impact mobility fees for eligible developers building affordable housing. โThatโs a challenge because we donโt control the growth and put up a sign that says โOsceola County is fullโ.
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Crime-ridden Orlando apartment complex could get $19.4 million facelift
ORLANDO, Fla. โ An Orlando apartment complex plagued by crime could be getting a multi-million dollar makeover. The Windsor Cove Apartments on Mercy Drive may soon undergo a $19.4 million renovation. The existing 256 affordable apartments will be supported by tax credits, HUD and several other local and federal partners. Jerry McGruder lives nearby at the Village on Mercy, a new affordable housing complex on Mercy Drive. Heโs happy to see more affordable housing options and hopes heโll see new additions in the future.
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Oviedo tops out October with highest rent in Central Florida, study shows
The city of Oviedo is the most expensive place to rent a home in Central Florida, according to rental website RentCafe.comโs Florida October Rent Report. โWe have more parkland per capita than any other town in Central Florida and itโs Seminole County,โ Sladek said. So you've got newer construction, you've got luxurious apartment complexes luxurious homes for rent and townhouses for rent. I think a lot of people would prefer that than a tiny little place in downtown Orlando." Titusville has the cheapest rent in Central Florida, averaging $876 per month, according to the Yardi Matrix data.