{"id":7375,"date":"2017-03-29T12:18:38","date_gmt":"2017-03-29T12:18:38","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/ocfl.flywheelsites.com\/?p=7375"},"modified":"2022-01-12T12:12:12","modified_gmt":"2022-01-12T17:12:12","slug":"orange-county-government-celebrates-new-affordable-housing-community-groundbreaking-in-apopka","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/newsroom.ocfl.net\/2017\/03\/orange-county-government-celebrates-new-affordable-housing-community-groundbreaking-in-apopka\/","title":{"rendered":"Orange County Government Celebrates New Affordable Housing Community Groundbreaking in Apopka"},"content":{"rendered":"

In an effort to address the shortage of affordable housing for low-and very low-income households in Orange County, the County is utilizing $724,000 of INVEST<\/em> funds<\/a> for construction activities related to the site development of Arbor Bend and Juniper Bend.<\/p>\n

Both are planned neighborhood subdivisions in Apopka that will feature a total of 56 single-family homes and are being built by Habitat for Humanity of Greater Orlando<\/a> and Habitat for Humanity of Seminole County and Greater Apopka<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs, Orange County District 2 Commissioner Bryan Nelson, City of Apopka Mayor Joe Kilsheimer, Francina Boykin from the Apopka Historical Society, representatives from Habitat for Humanity and other community and business leaders recently joined to celebrate this collaborative groundbreaking.<\/p>\n

Homes in Partnership, Inc. \u2013 a nonprofit affordable housing provider \u2013 will act as the developer of the property. Habitat for Humanity of Greater Orlando and Habitat for Humanity of Seminole County and Greater Apopka will construct all 56 affordable homes for very low and low-income families. Household incomes can range from $18,000 to $46,000 depending on household size.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis neighborhood will do so much more than provide homes to families in need of an affordable place to live,\u201d Mayor Jacobs said. \u201cIt will restore hope, bring stability to the families and have a positive ripple effect on the entire community.\u201d<\/p>\n

Future Habitat homeowner Nichole Griggs spoke during the groundbreaking ceremony and expressed excitement about finally having stability for her family.<\/p>\n

\u201cI was born and raised in Apopka and work two jobs and I am fully committed to seeing this dream become a reality,\u201d Griggs said. Griggs has already donated 150 of the 200 required \u201csweat equity\u201d hours to Habitat for Humanity in order to qualify for home ownership. \u201cI\u2019m so thankful for this opportunity and for a chance for stability. I can\u2019t tell you how much this means.\u201d<\/p>\n

This affordable housing investment was unanimously approved by the Orange County Board of County Commissioners. Under the leadership of Mayor Jacobs, Orange County has allocated a total of $5 million of local INVEST<\/em> funds<\/a> to be leveraged with other public and private resources in order to create new affordable units for low and very low-income households. Through the INVEST<\/em> initiative, there are multiple programs and projects aimed directly at expanding access and inventory of affordable housing. Other projects include contributing $1 million of INVEST<\/em> funds into the Wayne Densch Center \u2013 a 77-unit permanent supportive housing community for homeless families and individuals. Construction activities are slated for September 2017. In addition, $1 million on INVEST<\/em> funds have been earmarked for the 70-unit Goldenrod Pointe Apartments, a new affordable rental community for low-income households. The project is slated to open in mid-May.<\/p>\n

Mayor Jacobs\u2019 $300 million initiative, INVEST<\/em> in Our Home for Life, began a series of projects across Orange County that provides long-term benefits to Orange local residents. Announced during Mayor Jacobs\u2019 2015 State of the County Address, INVEST <\/em>in Our Home for Life will provide Infrastructure, New public safety facilities, Vibrant neighborhoods and affordable family housing, Enhanced recreation opportunities, Safety improvements for pedestrians, and Transportation connectivity throughout Orange County.<\/p>\n

Habitat for Humanity will start construction on homes in June 2017.<\/p>\n