Disney’s Affordable Housing Gets Final Approval – WDW News Today

Disney’s Affordable Housing Project Approved

The Orange County Commissioners approved Disney’s affordable housing project, which means that construction can now move forward.

Background

1. Disney announced the affordable housing project in April 2022. They earmarked 80 acres of land for development in the Horizon West area on Hartzog Road in Orange County, Florida.
2. In September of this year, the Orange County Planning & Zoning Commission voted 5-1 in favor of the development.

Approval and Concerns

On October 8, 2024, after a two-hour discussion, the Orange County Commissioners voted 6-1 in favor of the development. However, residents of Horizon West have expressed concerns about road congestion and pressure on schools.

• Disney initially planned for 1,410 units, but due to resident complaints, they have reduced the number to 1,369 units.
• At least 1,000 of the units will be affordable homes.

District 1 Commissioner Nicole Wilson, representing Horizon West, was the only person to vote against the development. She also tried to delay the vote, citing the inability of some residents to attend the meeting due to Hurricane Milton preparations.

Public Opposition

Residents have voiced their concerns through emails and a Change.org petition, which has garnered nearly 500 signatures. They argue that the project’s location and lack of adequate infrastructure threaten the local environment and quality of life.

This project threatens the local environment and quality of life due to the inappropriate location and lack of adequate infrastructure. The area of Horizon West is overdeveloped, is already saturated with apartment development, and infrastructure is not adequate to support the additional 1,400 homes.

Response from Disney

Walt Disney World Resort director of external affairs Tajiana Ancora-Brown stated that Orange County leaders consider affordable housing a significant priority and that Disney’s plan contributes to the solution.

Future Plans

The Michaels Organization, partnering with Disney, aims to begin construction in 2025 and complete the project by the end of 2027.

Sources

• Newsweek
• Orlando Sentinel

What are your thoughts on the approval of the affordable housing project? Let us know in the comments.

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SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

   • Target 11.1: By 2030, ensure access for all to adequate, safe, and affordable housing and basic services and upgrade slums
   • Indicator: Number of people living in slums or informal settlements

2. SDG 1: No Poverty

   • Target 1.4: By 2030, ensure that all men and women, in particular, the poor and the vulnerable, have equal rights to economic resources, as well as access to basic services, ownership, and control over land and other forms of property, inheritance, natural resources, appropriate new technology, and financial services, including microfinance
   • Indicator: Proportion of the population living below the national poverty line

3. SDG 4: Quality Education

   • Target 4.1: By 2030, ensure that all girls and boys complete free, equitable, and quality primary and secondary education leading to relevant and effective learning outcomes
   • Indicator: Proportion of children and young people achieving a minimum proficiency level in reading and mathematics

4. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

   • Target 8.5: By 2030, achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all women and men, including for young people and persons with disabilities, and equal pay for work of equal value
   • Indicator: Employment-to-population ratio by sex, age group, and persons with disabilities

Source: wdwnt.com