ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. \u2014 A new affordable housing development is coming to Orlando\u2019s Pine Hills community, bringing 96 apartment homes and a range of services aimed at helping families build more stable lives.<\/p>\n
The Village of Pine Hills will include one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments, along with a clubhouse, playground, recreation lawn and pavilion.<\/p>\n
But community leaders say the development is designed to provide more than simply a place to live.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
The project comes as the need for affordable housing continues to grow across Central Florida, particularly among extremely low-income households.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Local officials and community partners are helping bring the project to fruition.<\/p>\n
The City of Orlando provided expedited permitting and more than $500,000 in impact fee waivers to help support the development.<\/p>\n
Orange County also recently recommended $1.25 million from its Affordable Housing Trust Fund for the project.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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