Disney-Backed Affordable Housing Is Coming to Central Florida

I don’t typically spend my Friday afternoons flitting across Orlando in search of undeveloped plots, but nearly 80 acres of land have become a source of tension for some residents of Horizon West.

The master-planned community, complete with five villages and a town center, spans over 20,000 acres and is about 20 minutes from the Magic Kingdom.

Construction for nearly 1,400 mixed-income housing units — developed by The Michaels Organization on land owned by Walt Disney World — will begin this year. More than 1,000 units will be dedicated to affordable housing.

“We selected this land because it is part of a thriving community, close to employers, shopping, services, public schools, and areas of rest and recreation,” Disney says about the development on its website. “We feel there is no better-positioned community in Central Florida to provide residents the opportunity to start a new chapter of their story.”

Disney said the “critical” need for affordable housing units prompted it to pursue the project. “The lack of affordable housing is affecting many people across our country, including those who live and work in Central Florida,” the company says.

Housing insecurity continues to impact Central Florida.

Residents across various industries are still reeling from the increased cost of living and the dicey housing market that emerged after the COVID-19 pandemic. That includes hospitality and tourism workers — like Walt Disney World cast members — who are vital to the area’s economy. Former cast members have told local Florida outlets and BI that they’ve struggled with housing insecurity and securing living wages.

Walt Disney World has made strides to address the issue. In 2021, the company set a $15 minimum wage for cast members and increased it to $18 in 2023.

Critics of the privately funded project said the fast-growing area is already crowded and does not have the infrastructure to handle an influx of residents. Supporters said it’s an opportunity to address the housing insecurity in Central Florida. Orange County expects the population, now over 1.5 million, to increase by 500,000 by 2050.

Orange County District 1 Commissioner Nicole Wilson, who represents residents in Horizon West, opposed a proposal for the housing units last year.

“We are not in a position to put more human beings in an area that isn’t ready for them. I think we have this perception that affordable housing is the goal. And yes, it should be affordable, but it should also come with all the things we need for it to be successful,” Wilson told WMFE, a local public radio station.

In response to concerned citizens, a Disney spokesperson told Newsweek, “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.”

Residents told BI that Horizon West used to be a hidden gem, but now it’s attracting people in search of camaraderie and what they call the “village lifestyle.”

I toured the community to see what all the hype was about.

Each Horizon West village has a distinct vibe

As I walked through Horizon West, one thing became clear: It’s a lively, family-focused community that is quickly expanding.

Parents pushed strollers, couples walked dogs, and packs of laughing children sped down the sidewalks on electric scooters. Palm trees dotted the grassy landscape alongside several apartment buildings and retail spots. It’s a far cry from when citrus farmers and their groves dominated the area.

Orange County began to develop Horizon West in 1995 after a series of freezes decimated the citrus groves in the area. Inspired by the new urbanism movement, developers created a master plan that envisioned each village having housing, shops, a place to work, a school, parks, and other things essential to daily life.

That “village lifestyle” is one reason Heather Parker and her family moved to Horizon West from Missouri in 2020. Parker is the culture & engagement manager for Horizon West Happenings, a community initiative focused on empowering residents.

“When we decided to move to Florida, my kids were in elementary school and middle school, so having the school was a very big draw to us,” Parker said. “As we started researching, we found a couple of options that were a good fit.”

It was also appealing that residents have easy access to green spaces and often forgo cars for bicycles or scooters, she said.

“Everything is open and connected,” Parker said. “I can go to the grocery store on my scooter to pick up a couple of items or go to the dentist. The hospital is two minutes down the street from me. There are so many great things about everything being so close.”

Although each village appears similar at a glance, Lindsay Turner, the director of marketing for Horizon West Happenings, said each “has its own unique vibe.”

Hamlin, for example, acts as the downtown and offers a nightlife element attractive to young professionals. Bridgewater is “family-oriented,” while Village I attracts many Disney employees due to the close commute. There’s also a Brazilian influence prevalent in some villages that isn’t in others, which Turner said shows how each area is distinct.

Horizon West’s population boomed during the pandemic

Florida became a top destination for people moving states during the COVID-19 pandemic, giving it an economic boost but also increasing living costs. When I explored Horizon West, it seemed like there were signs and banners advertising real estate options on every corner.

Real estate agent Nicole Mickle said the influx of new Floridians was felt in Horizon West. She and her family moved to the area in 2018. “I sold many homes through FaceTime,” Mickle said.

The US Census Bureau reported that 14,000 people lived in Horizon West in 2010, and that number rose to over 58,100 in 2020. The community is now about 75,000, according to the Census Reporter.

“The rumors are true,” Turner said.”The growth is exponential. It’s insane how quickly and how fast things grow here. You can leave Horizon West for a month or two and come back to areas that are completely unrecognizable.”

Horizon West has various housing options at different price points, which the developers specified in the master plan.

“Apartments could be around $2,500 a month, and homes could be multimillion-dollar over here,” Mickle said. “I think the homes are still affordable for what Horizon West offers. You can’t find this in other areas of Orlando at the moment.”

Disney moves in

Mickle said the recent population boom, in tandem with residents’ passion for Horizon West, could explain the stir around the Disney-backed housing units.

“What some want to do is keep the integrity of the community,” Mickle said.

Residents circulated a petition last year saying they “strongly opposed” the construction because it threatened “the local environment and quality of life due to the inappropriate location and lack of adequate infrastructure.” Some residents told local media outlets that the housing units would bring more traffic to the area, while others wondered how affordable the units would actually be.

Although the units have drawn criticism, Parker said they’ve also generated excitement from those looking for new housing opportunities. The units are meant for Central Florida residents across many industries and backgrounds, including firefighters, teachers, and hospitality workers.

“Not many teachers in Horizon West live in the area,” Parker said. “It is an upper-middle-class area, and teachers in Florida may not make enough money to live here otherwise.”

Parker said the project is designed to fit aesthetically with the surrounding Horizon West properties and will have coveted amenities like pocket parks.

“Disney has done a great job of holding community meetings, opening up the dialogue, listening, and trying to make sure everybody’s on the same page,” Parker said.