Osceola County officials held a ribbon cutting ceremony Wednesday to open 84 new affordable rental units at Cameron Preserve off U.S. Highway 192. The completion of the Phase II project brings the total units in the complex to 184.
“This is near and dear to my heart,” said Osceola County District 2 Commissioner Viviana Janer. “To see the second phase now come to fruition, I’m so happy. We’re helping so many families here. I’m just beyond thrilled.”
The county committed $8.2 million to the project, with additional help from the Florida Housing Finance Corporation. The units are designed to be permanent affordable housing, allowing people to move out of motels, with a commitment to remain affordable for at least 50 years.
“The history with Osceola County goes back ten years,” said Steve Auger, representing Birdsong Housing Partners and Paramore Construction. “Osceola County came and said, ‘We have all these folks in motels on 192. We really need units. How can we work with you to try to partner and get more of the Florida resources here into the county?’
“For a county population size of Osceola County, they have put more resources towards affordable housing than I think any other similarly situated county in the state. They’ve really been committed to it. You’ve seen that in the last ten years with the number of affordable units that have been produced here. That would not have happened without the support and resources of the county.”
The plot formerly called the Yates Property was purchased by Osceola in 2015, and the first phase units were completed in 2018. Cameron Preserve includes a community building with computers and printers as well as classroom space. A number of resident programs, such as employment assistance, health and wellness services, financial management programs, and on-site food programs are made available to the residents. Phase II had a waiting list by January and was 100 percent leased upon completion last month.
County officials say that over the last four years, the County Commission has approved projects for 1,243 affordable housing units, committing over 43 million dollars over the next four years alone.
This marks another milestone for so many of us, but most importantly for all those people who are working so hard to create a safe and stable home for their families,” said Janer about the Phase II completion. “I want to thank all of you for helping to make Oceola County a place where everyone cares about their community and neighbors.”
