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

Apr 19, 2023 in "The Walt Disney Company"

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.

 

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.

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.

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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LAKid5321 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.

LAKid5321 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.