Orange County Government Supports New Affordable Housing for Low-Income Seniors

A new elderly affordable housing development – Madison Landing – recently broke ground, less than two miles southwest of Mall at Millenia at 5800 S. Rio Grande Avenue in Orlando.

The majority of the units will be affordable to low-income seniors making 60 percent or less of Orange County’s Area Median Income.

Orange County Government is supporting this new affordable housing development of local allotted $747,000 funding through the State Housing Initiatives Partnership program (SHIP). Florida Housing administers SHIP, which provides funds to local governments as an incentive to create partnerships that produce and preserve affordable homeownership and multifamily housing.

The first phase (77,473 sq. ft.) will be a 110 unit, seven-story building with amenities that include a pool, picnic pavilions, bocce ball court, indoor activity and exercise rooms, centralized great room and a health care services room.

“Providing affordable housing to Orange County residents is paramount and the need has been amplified during this pandemic,” said Orange County Mayor Jerry L. Demings. “I am proud of the public-private partnership it took to break ground on Madison Landing, which will soon offer affordable housing to low-income seniors. This is just one example of Orange County’s Housing for All Task Force prioritizing solutions to address the housing crisis.”

“Progress requires collective commitment … and government alone cannot bring affordable housing developments to the community,” said Orange County District 6 Commissioner Victoria Siplin. “We appreciate this partnership that has been nearly four years in the making and we look forward to future endeavors to help our Orange County residents.”

Winter Park Construction is the general contractor for the project, Blue Skies Studios is the architect, and Evans Engineering is the civil engineer. Development partners American Residential Communities and New South Residential, LLC paid $1.3 million for 5.4 acres of land at 5800 S. Rio Grande Ave.

The total project cost for the first phase is estimated at $23 million and planned for completion in 2021, a second phase, not yet approved, would add an additional 86 units. Construction is slated to be completed before September 2021.

For housing opportunities in Orange County, visit floridahousingsearch.org.

Photo cutline: Orange County Mayor Jerry L. Demings speaks at the groundbreaking for Madison Landing near the Holden Heights community.