HOUSING

Maine legislators are considering the addition of on-campus housing to the state's seven community colleges amid a sizeable enrollment spike.

Orlando city officials launched an enhanced program this week that’s aimed at helping the homeless find resources they need.

BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. — The city of Cocoa has 42 pieces of property it plans to sell to a developer or nonprofit to build affordable housing for working families. Now, it is one of the vacant properties the city hopes to transform into new homes. “We will work with each developer to entice them to get the property and build affordable housing,” City of Cocoa Public Information Officer Samantha Senger said. “Whether that is waiving fees to reduce costs to build the homes to make them more affordable it will depend on each property.”READ: Man critically injured in shooting outside Exploria StadiumThe City of Cocoa said a number of developers have already shown an interest in building affordable housing. Central Florida Spotlight: Affordable Housing (WFTV)Click here to download the free WFTV news and weather apps, click here to download the WFTV Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.

The housing crisis across Central Florida appears to only be getting worse and residents tell us in many ways it’s impacting their mental health.

A senior Valentine’s Day prom is bringing joy, laughs and a good time to a community that sometimes might be forgotten.

With rent prices soaring across the state, the city of Sanford is looking at ways to help families struggling to find housing options stay afloat.

Residents in the Lark Killarney area of Orange County said they’ve seen an increase in the coyote population in their area, sparking concerns among neighbors.

Orange County planners outlined a variety of strategies Tuesday for county commissioners to consider as the board searches for answers to boost lagging home construction, considered to be at the root of the region’s deepening housing crisis.

Amber Johnston has a place to call home for now, while she works to pick up the pieces — and it's all thanks to kind hearts in the community who saw her heartbreaking story.

Commissioners in Osceola County tabled an ordinance calling for a tenant’s bill of rights and a flood disclosure requirement Monday, a move which cheered realtors.

This week, New Smyrna Beach Zone 2 commissioner Lisa Martin held community listening sessions for residents to ask questions and express concerns after Hurricane Ian and Nicole.

A judge said the City of Apopka violated Florida law and ruled in favor of a developer who wants to build affordable housing units at the new City Center.

Florida will have an estimated 2,500 to 3,000 travel trailers available for families in need of short term shelter, the state says.

If you've wanted to buy a home but have been priced out of the housing market, the pendulum between a seller's and a buyer's market may be swinging in your favor.

Residents of Cypress Landing Apartments in Orlando were able to meet in person with a FEMA representative at Oak Ridge High School on Wednesday.

The housing market was red-hot earlier this year, though it's begun to cool down as interest rates skyrocket.

A woman was arrested in August after Ocoee police said she tried to fraudulently rent out rooms in Ocoee properties.

An unfinished condominium tower foundation near Oakridge Boulevard is decaying, and neighbors are calling it a major eyesore. Daytona Beach city leaders also called it dangerous.

As demand for housing across Central Florida continues to boom, one local city is pausing plans for construction of new subdivisions as leaders revamp zoning codes.

Residents in a DeLand mobile home park are scrambling to figure out how to keep their homes with just a month until their rent goes up beyond many of their means.

Orlando city officials are working to bring a seven-year vision to life to advance Downtown Orlando.

Several Florida realty companies filed a lawsuit Monday over a rent control proposal introduced by Orange County commissioners earlier this month, according to an affidavit.

Many Floridians agree that affordable housing is a top issue, but what's difficult to agree on is how to address it. For example, in Orange County, the board voted Tuesday to put a rent control proposal in the hands of voters.

The rent stabilization ordinance, passed by the Orange County commission Wednesday in a close 4-3 vote, now heads to the Supervisor of Elections to be placed on the ballot in November.

The Orange County Board of County Commissioners voted Tuesday evening to put a rent control plan on the ballot for a public vote in November.

A development proposal from Kimco Realty could mean more housing for Orlando residents — but fewer retail shops nearby.

Democratic Sen. Randolph Bracy, who is running for U.S. House District 10, will host a roundtable discussion Friday with landlords and renters about skyrocketing rent costs amid Central Florida's housing crisis.

As Central Florida continues to grow, some local leaders have said there's land that should not be developed. Seminole County commissioners are considering two proposals to conserve natural lands.

Commissioners in Orange County approved a new ordinance Tuesday that requires landlords to give written notice for rent hikes over a certain amount.

Orange County leaders are discussing a controversial plan to put government rent control in place.

As Central Florida rent prices soar above the rate of inflation, some tenants are searching for a solution to renewal notice sticker shock.

The once-hot housing market is beginning to cool down, but experts said homebuyers are canceling pending contracts at the highest rate since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Orange County’s Emergency Rental Assistance Program will stop accepting applicants Friday.

Real estate experts in Florida weigh in on whether it’s a worthy investment to purchase land, and assess the overall real estate climate at the moment.

Despite Central Florida’s booming population, a billion-dollar development proposed for an Orlando community is facing backlash.

The Orange County board came out of Thursday’s special session with a consensus on a notice ordinance and tenants bill of rights — but agreed more research and further discussion needs to be had about a rent stabilization ordinance.

The city of Orlando is set to consider development plans for a new mixed-use skyscraper near downtown Orlando Tuesday morning.

A housing developer is suing the City of Apopka for declining a permit to build affordable housing in the sprawling town's planned city center. Wendover...

Homes hit the Orlando real estate market in May faster than they ever have before, and what they sold for rose the median home price by almost 3% in the area, according to data compiled by the Orlando Regional REALTOR Association.

Sen. Linda Stewart, D-Orlando, called for an immediate moratorium on the Florida gas tax Friday, calling for Gov. Ron DeSantis to take action and provide “immediate fuel price relief” for Florida residents.

A report from outside consultants appointed by Orange County Commissioners, suggests that legislation to control rent prices locally may do more harm than good.

A business in Kissimmee is on a mission to help Hispanic residents in Central Florida purchase homes and educate home buyers and realtors about the process toward homeownership.

Mark Vangroff, managing partner of One Stop Housing, plans to address the housing crisis in Orlando.

City commissioners in DeLand have been searching for ways to help residents get affordable housing. During their next meeting, they will vote on a proposed ordinance to loosen developing regulations to hopefully bring in more housing options.

The Heart of Florida United Way recently said their 2-1-1 crisis hotline has seen an uptick in the number of working families that can’t keep up with their rent or mortgage payments.

Community leaders in Osceola County are announcing a life-changing new program designed to help families purchase their first home.

Rent increases may have hit their peak, according to a new forecast from the Apartment Association of Greater Orlando.

Investment firms are purchasing thousands of single-family homes around the U.S. and in Central Florida, which has made it harder for local buyers to close on homes.

Affordable housing A group of clergy members is petitioning the Volusia County council to establish an affordable housing trust fund to help bridge the gap to get people into housing they can afford. (WFTV.com News Staff)VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. — A group of clergy members is petitioning the Volusia County council to establish an affordable housing trust fund to help bridge the gap to get people into housing they can afford. Inflation and rising rents are increasing the number of people struggling to find affordable housing in the county and across Central Florida. According to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, a housing trust fund provides grants for local governments to use to preserve affordable housing for low-income households. READ: ‘This crisis is only going to get worse’: Many struggling to find affordable housing in FloridaCouncil Member Barb Girtman said she does support a housing trust.

On this latest episode of “You Have Real Estate” with Attorney Justin Clark, Orlando-area Realtors Rose Kemp and Eric Mock discussed what those higher interest rates are doing to the market.

Walt Disney World is planning to bring over 1,300 units to Central Florida with a new affordable housing development near its theme parks.

A new report from Inspection Service Network, which provides property inspection software services, puts Orlando in the top 20 most female homebuyers in the United States, along with Miami, Tampa.

More than 1,000 people were expected to attend Monday night’s F.A.I.T.H Action Assembly, an annual meeting with its members from 30 congregations.

Life expectancy declined more in the North West in 2020 than in England overall, a report finds.

Current owners with a tight budget also could benefit with energy-efficient improvements.

Flagler County Realtors are joining forces with state counterparts to oppose a proposal that would gut the sadowski fund.

Housing's fitful rebound Buyers are eager, but tight credit and higher mortgage rates are holding some back, says Ronald Kaplan, CEO of decking company Trex