An affordable housing neighborhood in South Apopka now has the money to begin construction.
- Habitat for Humanity planning affordable housing neighborhood
- Arbor Bend and Juniper Bend
- Planned by Habitat for Humanity
Tuesday, the Orange County Commission unanimously agreed to provide $724,000 INVEST funds to the Arbor Bend and Juniper Bend neighborhoods.
The homes will be constructed by several groups working with Habitat for Humanity in Seminole-Apopka and the Greater Orlando chapter.
On Friday, the two Habitat for Humanity organizations met to discuss the future of the project. In total the two neighborhoods, Arbor Bend and Juniper Bend, will house 58 families.
“It’s not just about putting families in affordable homes, but it’s also putting them in a situation where they own it they aren’t renting it,” said Penny Seater, the executive director for Habitat for Humanity Seminole-Apopka.
Habitat for Humanity reports 62 percent of renters in the Apopka area pay more than they can afford. Right now the organizations have begun working with those families in Apopka who struggle to find affordable housing.
Someone interested in applying for their homebuyer partner program must:
- Complete 200-400 hours of “Sweat Equity”
- Complete at least 10 Homebuyer Education classes
- Be able to save $3,000 for closing costs
- Have less than $2,000 in collections under their names
For more information on the application process please visit the Habitat for Humanity website.
Construction on the new housing development will begin March 16th. Organizers hope to have the program complete in three years.