ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — A new affordable housing development is coming to Orlando’s Pine Hills community, bringing 96 apartment homes and a range of services aimed at helping families build more stable lives.
The Village of Pine Hills will include one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments, along with a clubhouse, playground, recreation lawn and pavilion.
But community leaders say the development is designed to provide more than simply a place to live.
Residents will have access to primary and behavioral health care, employment training and an on-site case manager who can help connect families with additional resources and support.
The project comes as the need for affordable housing continues to grow across Central Florida, particularly among extremely low-income households.
According to the National Low Income Housing Coalition, the greater Orlando area has just 13 affordable rental units for every 100 extremely low-income households.
Local officials and community partners are helping bring the project to fruition.
The City of Orlando provided expedited permitting and more than $500,000 in impact fee waivers to help support the development.
Orange County also recently recommended $1.25 million from its Affordable Housing Trust Fund for the project.
For families who struggle to find housing they can afford, the new Pine Hills community is intended to offer both a home and access to services that can help residents move toward greater stability.
As Central Florida continues to grapple with its affordable housing shortage, leaders say developments like this one can help address the gap while giving families a chance at a fresh start.
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