Walt Disney World expands its Affordable and Attainable Housing project and announces planned completion date

Apr 19, 2023 in "The Walt Disney Company"

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80 Acres for Affordable Housing at Walt Disney World

Posted: Wednesday April 19, 2023 6:25pm ET by WDWMAGIC Staff

Disney has this evening shared that groundbreaking on its Affordable and Attainable Housing development is targeted for next year, with the first units anticipated to be completed in 2026.

Walt Disney World Announces Location, Developer for Affordable and Attainable Housing Initiative concept art

Disney has also said that is expanding the project to now include approximately 1,400 total units – over 100 higher than initially announced.

The news comes at a critical time for Disney, as Florida Governor Ron DeSantis repeatedly claims that affordable housing is a priority of his new Central Florida Tourism Oversight District, seemingly ignoring the fact that Disney is already heavily committed to such a project.

Walt Disney World Announces Location, Developer for Affordable and Attainable Housing Initiative location plan and map

As previously announced, The Michaels Organization, a nationally recognized developer, will build and operate the property, which would be just a few miles away from the Magic Kingdom, near schools and shopping, including Flamingo Crossings Town Center, which continues to open more great retail and dining spots. The development, which is planned to be privately financed, will be limited to applicants within a certain income range.

Walt Disney World President Jeff Vahle and his team met earlier this week with leaders from The Michaels Organization in Florida, and discussed how Disney hopes this development inspires others in the community and across the country to support this important issue in innovative ways.

Walt Disney World President Jeff Vahle with leaders from The Michaels Organization

Disney also points out that it recently joined Coalition for the Homeless of Central Florida, an organization that cast members support year-round through our Disney VoluntEARS program, for the grand opening of its newly renovated youth center, which was built with the help of a $100,000 Disney grant. And late last year, Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resort announced significant donations to local community food banks to support families in need, totaling more than $300,000.

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Sirwalterraleigh28 days ago

Let me translate: his buddy is a mobster who controls half of New Jersey and got indicted (after about 70 years of deserving it) last week

Unbanshee29 days ago

Hell of a spin from OBJ. Has nothing to do with Disney, the affordable housing development, or even The Michaels Organization

DCBaker29 days ago

Via Orlando Business Journal: "The CEO for the company that is building Disney's affordable housing community in Horizon West has been indicted in New Jersey on racketeering and other charges. John O'Donnell, 61, stepped down from his position as CEO of Camden, N.J.-based The Michaels Organization after a 13-count indictment in June alleged that he and five others "used their political influence to tailor New Jersey economic development legislation to their preferences." The alleged scheme involved revitalization efforts in Camden. According to a company release, Mark Morgan, Michaels' COO, has moved into the CEO role for the developer, which specializes in employee, student and affordable housing. "Our organization’s focus remains, as always, on our mission of crafting housing solutions that jumpstart education, civic engagement, and neighborhood prosperity, and on creating communities that lift lives," The Michaels Organization spokeswoman Laura Zaner wrote in response to an inquiry from OBJ. Disney tapped The Michaels Organization in 2022 to handle construction and management of the proposed 1,410-unit village that will feature 1,000 apartments for people making 80% or less of the area median income. The project is to rise on 114 acres it owns just off State Road 429, near the toll road's interchange with Seidel Road. "We are aware of the situation and are carefully looking into it," a Disney spokesperson told OBJ in regard to the indictment. "Our goal remains to bring affordable housing to Central Florida, and we will provide further updates as appropriate.” The affordable housing project is currently being reviewed by state agencies before a final vote by Orange County commissioners." https://www.bizjournals.com/orlando/news/2024/06/27/disney-affordable-housing-developer-ceo-indicted.html

LilofanApr 02, 2024

That's Orlando in a nutshell. A number of apt complexes and a really poor bus transportation for residents that need it. Nothing new here.

flynnibusApr 02, 2024

No - it wasn’t park of the master plan because it was in the district before. Which is ehy i said it was part of the staff report… yet you were going back and forth on what the road can support. The county transportation plan for the roads are outlined.

Disney AnalystApr 02, 2024

The NIMBY’s always have so much time on their hands to attend meetings in droves and be loud grumps.

lazyboy97oApr 02, 2024

You say this isn’t NIMBYism but this is like the most classic example of NIMBYism. A master plan isn’t supposed to be an absolute edict. They’re a big picture, something that should be flexible to accommodate changes in development patterns. Unless of course it is a NIMBY tool intended to only allow certain types of development and provide an excuse to disallow others.

maxairmikeApr 02, 2024

I was there, a group of about 3 to my back and a little further forward in the middle section with one being noticeably louder than the others kept constantly interrupting whoever was speaking. They managed to get them to answer if there was a plan for buses, and they said no. Those people and several others had the “good, we don’t want them” response with plenty of others voicing their agreement. I heard literally no one at the 18th meeting actually suggesting that buses for this development would be a good thing. This is where I will also slam the developers, as I couldn’t believe the flippant and disinterested response I got from the guy at the transportation table when I asked if they had planned for and considered bus transit for the residents. Both parties (the opposed residents and the developers) provided 180 changes at the BCC meeting from what I witnessed and experienced on the 18th. ETA: In fact, I had the pleasure of speaking with I believe the head of county transportation planning at the 18th meeting after Commissioner Wilson directed a question/discussion along those lines to him as he had just walked towards the group around her. I was glad to let him know there was at least one person there who understood that “just one more lane” will never be the real solution, and enjoyed the quick conversation I had.

LAKid53Apr 02, 2024

According to the notes I read from the meeting on the 18th, it was clear there were no plans for any type of bus system. And that lack of buses was in the package presented to the Mayor and commissioners that I read. Not in the "we don't want buses because buses = poor, but that "you've got no mass transit plan for residents of this development? You're asking residents in affordable housing without vehicles to depend on ride sharing, taxis and Lynx?" And it been that in every letter and package to Demings and others that I've read.

maxairmikeApr 02, 2024

Which the residents at the community meeting said they don’t want in their area (because mass transit = poors and crime, that’s always the reason), and then turned around at the BCC meeting chiming in like that was something the developers should be considering to get their approval.

LAKid53Apr 01, 2024

None of the occupied or under construction apartment complexes have 1400 units. Waterleigh is 1400 acres, with plenty of green space, conservation areas, parks and playgrounds for the planned 3600 homes, townhouses and condos. Plus an elementary school is currently under construction in the development. This project is 1400 apartment units on 80 acres.

LAKid53Apr 01, 2024

A mass transit bus system that's not Lynx will be essential for those living in the proposed development. Otherwise, those without a car will be using ride sharing services or taxis.

LAKid53Apr 01, 2024

Horizons West has a master plan. That acreage in the plan was always marked as to be undeveloped. There's already a light at Avalon and Hartzog/Waterway Passage...with turn signals and turn lanes. Same at Seidel, YMCA and Porter. The only improvement that would be beneficial is a light at Schofield. All this was presented to Mayor Demings and commissioners PRIOR to the meeting last Monday. I reviewed the materials.

trainplane3Apr 01, 2024

One thing I've learned about regularly visiting Florida is if housing or shopping can fit in a spot, they're going to stick it there. Traffic concerns have yet to stop anything major from happening.