Residents of a community in Orange County, Florida, are expressing concerns that an affordable housing project that Walt Disney World Resort is helping to develop may add congestion and put pressure on the local school system.
First announced two years ago, Disney said it planned to provide 80 acres of land for the project and is working with a private entity—the Michaels Organization—who will develop and manage the property. The company says the property will have about 1,400 units with 1,000 apartments set aside for residents on an affordable basis, access to which will be determined based on income.
But some residents in Orange County near where the project is planned to be built have complained that could lead to traffic congestion and could be beyond what the local school system can handle, according to a report by The Orlando Sentinel.
"My family and I, we moved here, after an exhaustive research, knowing full well that Disney would be our neighbor," Alex Cabrera, who lives near where the property will sit, was quoted as saying by the paper. "We just never thought they'd be bad neighbors."
The project has support from organizations such as Habitat for Humanity, a nonprofit that works on affordable housing, and Disney says the project is geared towards helping those that are struggling to afford homes.
"Orange County leaders continue to identify affordable housing as one of the most significant priorities for our region, and we take great pride in bringing a plan to the table that can contribute to the solution," Tajiana Ancora-Brown, Walt Disney World Resort's director of external affairs, told Newsweek in a statement.
Part of the plan is to make the opening available for residents happen in phases to reduce potential pressure that may face local schools and allow developer fees that will be generated to help authorities support local infrastructure, according to the company.
Affordable housing is notable a crisis across the country. With the housing market in the midst of high mortgage rates and elevated prices, most potential homebuyers are holding back on buying homes and choosing to rent which has put pressure on that segment of the market.
Orange County has also grappled with high rental prices. The median rent in the area is more than $400 more than the national rate of a little above $1,900, according to HotPads.
The Disney-supported project is planned to be available to residents beyond those who work for the company.
"The development will be available for qualifying applicants in the Central Florida region, including Disney cast members," according to the company. "The development, which is planned to be privately financed, will be limited to applicants within a certain income range. Information on how to apply for those who qualify will be shared by The Michaels Organization when available."
Orange County commissioners have offered their support for the project to go forward, according to The Sentinel. On Tuesday, the commissioners plan to discuss the project and decide on its next steps.
Newsweek reached out for comment from the Orange County local government via email on Monday. We will update with any new information they provide.
Uncommon Knowledge
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Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
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Omar Mohammed is a Newsweek reporter based in the Greater Boston area. His focus is reporting on the Economy and ... Read more
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