Disney World has a new project underway and it’s not a theme park for tourists—it’s housing for Florida renters.
It’s a development more than three years in the making, and a key component recently got approval from the state to move forward with construction.
The South Florida Water Management District issued an Individual Environmental Resource Permit on Jan. 23, clearing the way for stormwater and drainage infrastructure associated with the development in southwest Orange County.
“Permitting has been approved for Michaels’ Attainable Housing development in Central Florida, marking an important milestone for the community,” the developer of the community, The Michaels Organization, posted on Facebook.
“We are excited to work with an iconic brand like Disney to deliver attainable housing for the Central Florida community,” Michaels CEO John J. O’Donnell said in a press release. “Our goal is to create a repeatable model that we hope will inspire other companies and municipalities to create high quality, attainable housing in their own communities.”
The Michaels Organization was chosen by Walt Disney World to build, own, and operate the more than 1,300 units on Disney’s land. Michaels is the largest privately held owner of affordable housing in the country.
Walt Disney World has contributed approximately 80 acres of land for the development, which was announced in 2022.
“For more than 50 years, Walt Disney World has cared for and invested in our community, and we’re committed to being a part of this solution which will bring more attainable housing to Central Florida,” Jeff Vahle, president of Walt Disney World Resort, said in a press release. “We will continue to find ways to use our resources to make a difference in the community we call home.”
A Disney website dedicated to the affordable housing initiative states, “We envision a place where cost-burdened renters can focus on their personal growth and prosperity by gaining access to affordable housing. By alleviating the weight of escalating housing costs, we hope to give residents the relief they need to prioritize resources necessary to thrive, like food, medication, car payments, child care and more.”
The median rent in Orange County is a steep $2,200 a month.
“I’ve been hearing more talk about Disney’s project from renters who are looking for long-term stability,” Florida real estate agent and investor Ron Myers of Ron Buys Florida Homes tells Realtor.com®. “If done right, this could help a lot of folks who are tired of rising rents and just want a safe, clean place to live near work. I think people are curious to see how fast it will be built and how affordable it really ends up being.”
The permit, which expires Jan. 23, 2031, advances the project toward construction. The approved development includes about 1,369 housing units, supported by utilities, internal roadways, and stormwater management systems.
More than 1,000 of the units will be reserved as affordable. The project is designed to serve residents within specific income thresholds and is also expected to offer housing opportunities to people including eligible Walt Disney World cast members—although Disney will neither own nor manage the community.
Since Environmental Resource Permits are required before land clearing or vertical construction can proceed, the permit approval represents a significant advancement for the development.
Even without a defined construction timeline, the project is showing clear momentum.
Why Orange County?
According to the Disney affordable housing website, the Orange County location was selected “because it is part of a thriving community, close to employers, shopping, services, public schools, and areas of rest and recreation.”
The website also states, “We feel there is no better positioned community in Central Florida to provide residents the opportunity to start a new chapter of their story.”
However, when the development was proposed, some Orange County residents raised concerns about things like traffic and transportation, school capacity, and location at a community meeting.
According to the Orange Observer in 2024, Disney representatives said they felt confident in how the county would address those concerns.
In addition, a Michaels spokesperson said they expected to pay millions of dollars in impact fees to Orange County, which could be used for roadway and infrastructure updates.
Affordable housing has been a persistent concern in Orange County, where rents are rising and the median listing price is $428,750.
“There is definitely a need for affordable housing in Orange County,” Myers says. “Between rising home prices, higher interest rates, and growing insurance costs, it’s been tough for working families to find a place they can actually afford. A lot of people who work in the service and hospitality industries around Disney and the theme parks are getting priced out.”
In 2019, Orange County Mayor Jerry L. Demings launched the Housing for All initiative to promote and incentivize the development of affordable and attainable housing in Orange County.
Even as Disney positions its affordable housing project as a community benefit, the company is simultaneously involved in separate legal battles with the county—most notably over property tax assessments.
Walt Disney World has filed more than a dozen lawsuits in Orange Circuit Court disputing Orange County’s 2025 property tax valuations across much of its property holdings, including the theme parks, resorts, and additional parcels.
Realtor.com reached out to the Walt Disney World organization and The Michaels Organization for comment.