The Walt Disney World Resort has sent a message to those subscribed to the MouseMail newsletter (available as part of the Disney Florida website) to provide an update on the Affordable Housing project that is planned near Walt Disney World. The update follows a community meeting, and it announces the next step of the process – a presentation for the Orange County’s Board of County Commissioners next week.
In the message, Senior Vice President of Communications & Public Affairs for Walt Disney World Resort, Rena Langley provided an update on the process that was officially announced back in April 2022. Langley says that while Disney won’t stand to benefit financially from the project, Disney was in a position to help with a growing need for affordable housing as identified by Orange County leaders. Disney hopes that their efforts can inspire other companies and organizations in Central Florida and beyond.
Langley notes that Disney’s affordable housing initiative is completely privately funded, noting that the developer will pay millions of dollars in impact fees after agreeing to forego all eligible fee waivers.
Langley said that Disney is thankful to the residents that have voiced support for the project, and appreciates the input from local residents in the surrounding area. Langley says that residents should know that their voice is important to Disney.
Many residents showed up to a recent community meeting to voice opposition to the project, even making homemade signs in objection to the development. For more on the community meeting, check out our recap below.
Here’s the full message sent by Disney:
Dear Central Florida Friends and Neighbors,
As many of you know, affordable housing continues to be a significant need across the country, including here in Central Florida. In April 2022, Walt Disney World announced a plan to contribute to the solution: Dedicating nearly 80 acres of our land for a new mixed income housing community in Orange County, Florida. The community would include approximately 1,400 units, over 1,000 of which would be reserved as affordable.
Since then, we identified a renowned affordable housing developer with experience in Florida, The Michaels Organization, to build, own and operate the community. It would serve those who contribute to and support our area every single day – from teachers and first responders to hospitality workers like our Disney cast members, nurses and others. In fact, a recent report found that you need to make about $80,000 a year to avoid being rent burdened.
This initiative is privately funded, not government funded. The developer is not seeking impact fee waivers typically available for affordable housing, meaning it will pay millions of dollars for Orange County to use toward schools, transportation, infrastructure and more.
Some people have asked us why we are doing this if there is no financial benefit to Disney. The answer is simple: Orange County leaders have said creating more affordable housing is a top priority for our region and we can help in a meaningful way by gifting this land. We also hope this model can inspire other companies and organizations in Central Florida and beyond.
On Tuesday, March 26, at 2 p.m., we will present our plan alongside The Michaels Organization to Orange County’s Board of County Commissioners. We want to thank all of you who have voiced your excitement for this initiative over the last several weeks. We also appreciate the input we’ve received from local residents in the surrounding area, as their voice is important to us.
For the latest information on this development, you may visit DisneyFlorida.com.
Thank you for all you do in our community.
As always, keep checking back with us here at BlogMickey.com as we continue to bring you the latest news, photos, and info from around the Disney Parks!