Orange County, FL — For more than 45 years, Orange County’s Housing and Community Development Division has provided affordable housing, neighborhood improvements, and economic opportunities for mostly low- and moderate-income residents of Orange County. The division accomplishes its goals through partnerships with nonprofit organizations, citizen groups, and public/private agencies committed to creating and maintaining a strong urban community, where underserved neighborhoods and vulnerable populations can thrive.

“Our team is dedicated to exploring and exhausting all viable options and funding sources to provide affordable housing, homelessness services and improving the quality of life of our residents here in Orange County,” said Mitchell Glasser, Housing and Community Development Manager. “For example, in 2022, some 805 affordable rental units, including 110 that are set aside for extremely low-income households, are in development for occupancy later this year.”

2022 Accomplishments at-a-glance

Affordable Housing

• 86 homeowner housing occupied units rehabilitated
• 182 households received tenant based rental assistance
• 2,153 households received other types of rental assistance
• 13 new affordable homeowner housing units added
• 82 homebuyers received direct financial assistance
• 335 new permanent affordable rental units created

Homeless Services

• 1,222 persons received overnight shelter assistance
• 16 households assisted with rapid re-housing
• 139 persons assisted with homelessness prevention services

Quality of Life

• 5 public facilities rehabilitated and/or constructed
• 8,388 persons benefitted from public facilities or infrastructure improvement activities
• 69 jobs created through public services and construction activities
• 100 persons received fair housing education and training
• 2,289 individuals were assisted with various public service activities

Under the CARES Act, Orange County has been awarded Community Development Block Grant funds and Emergency Solutions Grant funds to help prepare for, prevent, and respond to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

Housing Projects and Public Services Activities (CDBG-CV)

Projects and activities included COVID-related improvements to public facilities that benefited 1,930 individuals. These facilities were owned and operated by Winter Park Housing Authority, Aspire Health Partners, Inc., Jewish Family Services of Greater Orlando, Inc., and United Cerebral Palsy of Central Florida, Inc.

Additionally, 15,154 individuals received various COVID related public services that included health and homeless services, services for individuals with disabilities, housing stability case management, food services, job placement and retention, legal services and counseling, children services, and wraparound and identification services.

Homeless Activities (ESG-CV)

Orange County distributed funds to the Coalition for the Homeless of Central Florida, Inc. to provide homelessness prevention services, including financial assistance and case management, to eligible households who were at risk of experiencing homelessness due to COVID-19. With this partnership, Orange County was able to provide overnight emergency shelters, homelessness prevention services and rapid-rehousing services.

The 2021-2022 Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report (CAPER) serves as the evaluation tool used to assess Orange County’s progress towards meeting goals and objectives. This document can be found online, at: 2021-2022CAPERExecutiveSummary.pdf (orangecountyfl.net)