Walt Disney World is earmarking nearly 80 acres of land for a new affordable housing development

Apr 06, 2022 in "The Walt Disney Company"

Posted: Wednesday April 6, 2022 2:09pm ET by WDWMAGIC Staff

Walt Disney World Resort will earmark nearly 80 acres of land to bring a new affordable housing development to life in southwest Orange County, Florida.

According to Disney, this initiative has been in the works for quite some time and will be located by the new and expanding Flamingo Crossings Town Center retail and dining complex.

 

This new development, which is still in the early planning stages and subject to appropriate approvals, is expected to include more than 1,300 units and will be constructed by a third-party affordable housing developer on Disney’s land near its Central Florida theme parks. The development will offer residents a variety of home choices that are affordable and attainable, located in close proximity to schools and the new and expanding Flamingo Crossings Town Center retail and dining complex. It will offer a variety of amenities to foster a strong community.

Known for building industry-leading theme parks and resort hotels around the world, Disney will engage the developer to bring that same innovation, expertise and attention to detail to this initiative.The development will be available for qualifying applicants from the general public, including Disney cast members.

“We are invested in working together with our community to solve complex issues,” said Jeff Vahle, president of Walt Disney World Resort. “The lack of affordable housing is affecting many people across our country, including right here in Central Florida. With this initiative, we’re lending a hand to make a real and meaningful impact in our community by tapping into the best of our company’s strengths. This is the right opportunity and the right time to take action.”

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More details about this initiative will be released at a later date as the company continues due diligence work with a prominent affordable housing developer. Disney’s initiative will play an important role as leaders in the community – including Orange County Mayor Jerry L. Demings – continue to prioritize finding lasting solutions to affordable housing in Central Florida.

This new initiative in Central Florida will join additional investments Disney is making in affordable housing. Several years ago, Disneyland Resort led an effort to revitalize the Orange County Housing Trust that provides “last mile” funding for affordable housing projects in Anaheim. This made the Buena Esperanza project — a converted studio apartment community for veterans and homeless individuals with mental illness — a reality. In addition to providing them a place to live, the community offers job placement and mental health and wellness support to residents. As a result of Disney’s investment a second project, Finamore Place, in Anaheim is under construction with an expected completion date of early summer 2022. It will provide over 100 additional housing units. Disneyland Resort will continue to show support for these and other such worthy endeavors.

These initiatives are among the many ways Disney is strengthening its communities, including hundreds of millions of dollars provided in philanthropic donations to local nonprofits, the Disney VoluntEARS program, contributions to local foodbanks and more. Walt Disney World Resort also recently donated $3 million to important causes in the community, including organizations on the front lines of the affordable housing issue.

For additional details about Disney’s community initiatives in Central Florida, please visit DisneyWorldGivesBack.com.

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LAKid5323 hours ago

Commissioner Wilson didn't even get to complete her motion to request a delay as he cut her off and immediately moved to approve the plan.

LAKid5323 hours ago

And on the very morning of the meeting, there were 2 traffic accidents within a short time of each other on Avalon. At the intersection at Schofield (multi car) and then further up at Porter. But, hey, no traffic worries, right? Oh, and the developer has an F rating from the Better Business Bureau. Several lawsuits from military families regarding the housing they built on bases, problems with black mold, etc.

Lilofan1 day ago

Developers and elected officials go hand in hand.. Nothing new.

johnparkhopper1 day ago

Developers always win --this should come as no surprise. $$$$$$ Rule

sWANNISAX2 days ago

That whole hearing was a farce. Demminga cut speaking time to 1 min a person because he wanted to move things along when rules are typically 2 minutes. He heard the number of attendees wishing to speak and asked people to consider not speaking. The two commissions that voted no had excellent questions and concerns. Bonilla exposed the crooked relation between Disney and the county and held them to the fire and Demings completely ignored the valid and extreme transportation concerns that will effect both current residents and these supposedly attainable housing residents who will increase problems due to a lack of public transportation. He should be ashamed of how he forced the vote despite resquests for a hold to get the proper info. Hattaway disneys rep basically said it's a complete proposal and he rubber stamped it along with the commissioner of the other district who basically said my district is a dumpster fire so yours should be too. Disgraceful and residents and children are going to suffer from the lack of sufficient roads and schools that will be made worse by this development.

wdwmagic2 days ago

Disney World's Affordable and Attainable Housing project approved by County Commissioners despite transportation conerns https://www.wdwmagic.com/other/walt-disney-company/news/26mar2024-disney-worlds-affordable-and-attainable-housing-project-approved-by-county-commissioners-despite-transportation-conerns.htm

DCBaker2 days ago

The Board of County Commissioners has voted 4-2 on the Transmittal of Future Land Use Map Amendment to the state for review.

DCBaker2 days ago

The affordable housing project is about to go before the Board of County Commissioners. If you’d like to watch live, here is a YouTube link to the meeting:

Bullseye19673 days ago

Does anyone know how big Horizons West Village I is going to be? They own the land all the way down to Flamingo Crossings don't they?

LAKid533 days ago

I hope this meeting allows for comments from affected residents.

DCBaker3 days ago

The affordable housing project is scheduled to be before Orange County’s Board of County Commissioners with a plan presentation by Disney and The Michaels Organization during a meeting tomorrow afternoon. Here's a link to the staff report. Here's the listing in the agenda, which can be found here.

LAKid539 days ago

Residents in Vintage Horizons West apartments reported it yesterday. As did those in Braxton. And several said they had no water. And yes, I'm aware as I live in Waterleigh. Notification to the residents affected by the ongoing work on that water main would be helpful. We get them when work on the new elementary school at the entrance to Phase 3 affects Lost Creek.

maxairmike10 days ago

I know Nicole is, but that doesn’t matter unless you’re taking the stance that absolutely no additional housing of any type should be built at all, luxury, middle, or affordable. As for the water pressure, are you purposely ignoring the ongoing work on the water main/line(s) that they broke recently just north of the Waterleigh Publix? Because I’m 99.999999% certain if there was a loss of water pressure (there wasn’t in my neighborhood that I’m aware of), it was because of that (or other nearby construction) and not the supply being overused. I’d be more concerned that their engineering reports for the Avalon expansion projects are missing potential ground subsidence issues which seems to be the problem near the previously mentioned intersection than the water system being able to keep up with demand.

LAKid5310 days ago

Are the Board members unaware of the apartment complexes currently under construction behind the Waterleigh Publix? And another loss of water pressure today.