Construction kicks off on new affordable housing project in Orange County

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — Construction has kicked off on a new affordable housing project in Orange County.

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“We’re very excited to bring five single family homes in the next year and a half to Holden Heights,” said Catherine Steck McManus, the president and CEO of Habitat for Humanity Greater Orlando and Osceola County.

McManus said the need for more housing options could not be more critical.

“We are suffering with an affordable housing crisis right now,” she said.

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The lot was donated by the county.

It had a history of code violations, dating back nearly 20 years.

In 2017, the county acquired this property through a tax deed sale.

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Now, the empty space will be transformed to give families in need a place to call home.

“When we are able to take out the bad and put it in the good, that really just lifts the overall quality of living for the people who live here,” said Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings.

Between rising rent prices and low housing inventory, the real estate market in Central Florida is frustrating.

“Just yesterday, we needed 70,000 affordable units here in Central Florida. That number is even greater today,” McManus said.

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According to the latest numbers from the national home price index, prices rose more than 19% in January, compared to the year before.

“The jump is one that is going to cause even more problems for people in the community trying to purchase a house,” McManus said.

Over the next two years, Habitat for Humanity Greater Orlando and Osceola County said it will build 19 single-family energy efficient homes in the Holden Heights community.

“These homes represent just the beginning of our work to strengthen the community,” McManus said.

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