Gada Debarros has been living with her husband in a St. Cloud apartment for five years. Retired and on Social Security, it's all they can afford.
"The people are nice, the neighbors are nice," Debarros said.
- Project provides upgrades to affordable housing units across the state
- $131 million plan
- 3 communities in Osceola County to get upgrades
Her home on West New Nolte Road will soon see some changes -- new lighting, plumbing fixtures, modern cabinets and changed floors. Debarros said she is looking forward to the renovations.
"I think it's a good thing because we need something nice," she said.
This is all happening with the help of the Osceola County Housing Finance Authority and $41 million of tax-exempt bonds put into the project. It's part of a $131 million plan to renovate more than 1,000 affordable housing units across the state.
Kissimmee Homes, Woodland Terrace and Inglewood Meadows are the three projects part of Osceola County. All projects are expected to be completed in less than two years.
Tenants will not be displaced from their units during the upgrades. We're also told monthly rents may increase a little bit but will still be kept affordable based on individual needs.
Debarros said she can't wait. "We need to live in a place we like inside and outside," she added.
This housing rehab is happening at no cost to the taxpayers in Osceola County.