Planning, Environmental and Development Services, Public Information Officer
Email: Dustin.Wyatt@ocfl.net
Orange County Strengthens Affordable Housing Opportunities in Pine Hills with Support for Emerald Villas Phase Three
Orange County, FL — Orange County Government will provide additional funding support for Emerald Villas Phase Three, a 90-unit apartment community currently under construction in Pine Hills and expected to open by the end of the year.
At the July 15 meeting, the Orange County Board of County Commissioners unanimously approved an Impact Fee Waiver totaling $44,533 for the development. This action builds upon a prior $7 million County commitment to this phase of the project: $2.5 million from the County’s Affordable Housing Trust Fund and $4.5 million from the American Rescue Plan Act.
Since its establishment in 2020, the Affordable Housing Trust Fund has allocated $55 million, resulting in the development of 1,849 housing units throughout Orange County.
The Trust Fund is a key component of Mayor Jerry L. Demings’ Housing For All Initiative, a comprehensive 10-year action plan designed to promote and incentivize affordable and attainable housing across Orange County.
Emerald Villas, located near the intersection of Pine Hills Road and Silver Star Road, is a three-phase development project totaling 450 units. Phase One includes 264 affordable units for families while Phase Two consists of 96 units for senior residents. These phases are complete.
Phase III will serve families at an average income of 60% of the area median income (AMI), including 23 units serving very low-income residents at 50% AMI.
Visit the County’s new Housing for All website to view locally-funded projects and track the initiative’s progress.
About Orange County Government: Orange County Government strives to serve its residents and guests with integrity, honesty, fairness and professionalism. Located in Central Florida, Orange County includes 13 municipalities and is home to world-famous theme parks, one of the nation’s largest convention centers and a thriving life science research park. Seven elected members make up the Board of County Commissioners, including the Mayor, who is elected countywide. For more information, please visit www.OCFL.net or go to Orange County Government’s social media channels.