Orange County’s Board of County Commissioners (BCC) today approved $3 million of local Housing Trust Fund and federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding to assist an affordable housing development that has encountered higher-than-expected construction costs.
The developer’s agreement approved by the BCC involves a 195-unit project called Southwick Commons planned for downtown Apopka. The total allocation amounts to $1 million from ARPA resources and $2 million from the County’s Housing Trust Fund, which was established in 2020.
It's a project that was embroiled in controversy in Apopka.
Initially, the project was approved by the City before learning of its affordable housing origin, the Apopka City Council voted against it moving forward, because it sat inside the parameters of the Apopka City Center.
Southwick Commons ultimately sued the City of Apopka and won the right to continue the development.
His attempt was unsuccessful.
The Housing Trust Fund is part of Orange County’s Housing-For-All initiative, which is intended to incentivize the construction and preservation of affordable and attainable housing and is projected to produce or preserve at least 11,000 certified affordable units in Orange County by 2030. Southwick Commons was one of four projects approved for funding in the first year of the Trust Fund.
The County has set aside federal Act ARPA funds for affordable housing gap financing.
About Orange County Government: Orange County Government strives to serve its residents and guests with integrity, honesty, fairness, and professionalism. Located in Central Florida, Orange County includes 13 municipalities and is home to world-famous theme parks, one of the nation’s largest convention centers and a thriving life science research park. Seven elected members make up the Board of County Commissioners, including the Mayor, who is elected countywide. For more information, please visit www.OCFL.net.
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