Disney Provides Update On Affordable Housing Planned for Central Florida
For the past several years, Walt Disney World has been working toward addressing the need for affordable housing in Central Florida. To help make the biggest impact, the company decided to donate nearly 80 acres of its land and work with a prominent developer – The Michaels Organization – to bring up to 1,400 units of mixed income housing to Central Florida, more than 1,000 of which will be reserved as affordable. The housing will be available to anyone who meets the eligibility requirements, both to Cast Members and to those who do not work for the company.
As Disney continues to work with Orange County to get the appropriate approvals to permit the developer to begin building this community near Horizon West, the company shared some important details about this initiative.
Community Goals
As The Michaels Organization works to bring this development to life, it has three goals:
- Provide elevated resident engagement through a personalized approach to management and operations.
- Inspire residents to share their story through ongoing community events.
- Ensure that health and wellness are a focus of the community experience.
Community Design
This community is planned to include a mix of building types and designs, which will feature murals and other elements that make each of the six planned neighborhoods unique. It will have three separate entrances, a series of sidewalks and pathways that connect the entire community, a multimodal hub that will offer alternative transportation options and more.
Community Amenities
The Michaels Organization is planning amenities like extensive walking and biking paths, a fitness center, swimming pool, picnic pavilions, playgrounds, dog park, basketball and pickleball courts, and more. With parks, green spaces and trails along the wetlands, future residents will also be able to spend time in and learn more about our natural environment.
About The Michaels Organization
With over 425 communities in more than 35 states – including in Florida – The Michaels Organization has brought affordable housing to life for years. In fact, they’re the largest privately held owner of affordable housing in the country. With community programs that help their residents grow and connect with each other, The Michaels Organization will build, own and operate this housing community.
Disney’s Involvement
Disney is donating 80 acres of our land for this initiative. The company will not profit from it in any way; we are trying to do what we think is right and help our community find a solution to the affordable housing crisis in Central Florida.
Timeline
This community will open in phases over several years, with the first units expected to be complete in 2026. While still a few years away from opening, anyone who would like more information about living in this community can sign up to join the interest list on The Michaels Organization’s website.
Other Facts to Know
This community will not be government funded. The Michaels Organization will be privately financing its development, AND they will not accept any impact fee waivers that are typically provided for affordable housing developments. What that means is that The Michaels Organization is going to pay Orange County millions of dollars so that the County can make the road, school, and safety updates it thinks is necessary to support this community and the area around it.
For even more information about this affordable housing initiative, visit DisneyFlorida.com.
RENDERINGS: © Walt Disney World Resort. All Rights Reserved.
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