Orange County has taken a significant leap towards addressing its affordable housing crisis by introducing Sandpiper Glen, a new senior housing community. According to a recent report from Orange County Government, the ribbon-cutting ceremony on Dec. 2 saw county officials celebrate the 288-unit complex, designed specifically for seniors. Mayor Jerry L. Demings emphasized, “Providing affordable housing is paramount to our residents,” citing the integration of the new development as a testament to community collaboration.
With this project, Orange County aims to provide housing solutions for its older population. Sandpiper Glen caters to seniors earning 60 percent or less of the area’s median income, reflecting Mayor Demings' commitment to the ‘Housing for All’ Task Force initiatives. “This new affordable 288-unit development, which offers all the amenities, caters to seniors making 60 percent or less of the area’s median income. Today’s ribbon cutting demonstrates what we can accomplish when we build better together,” Mayor Demings told OCFL Newsroom.
The OCFL Newsroom said the grand opening was not just a local affair. Several dignitaries, including County Commissioner Mayra Uribe, State Senator Carlos Guillermo Smith, State Representative Johanna López, and Ron Lieberman of the Florida Housing Finance Corporation, made remarks at the event. Devon Quist of Dominium, the development company behind Sandpiper Glen, lauded the collaborative effort, noting, “Sandpiper Glen represents the culmination of our ongoing collaboration with local and state officials to create a vibrant, high-quality, and affordable community for the seniors of Orange County.”
Sandpiper Glen brims with amenities suited to senior living, offering a blend of one-bedroom, two-bedroom, and three-bedroom apartments. These include a dog park, outdoor pool, fitness center, a salon, and bocce ball courts. It stands as Dominium’s fourth affordable housing contribution in Florida, securing their ongoing resolve to make reasonable accommodations for those facing economic challenges. All apartments are open to seniors 62 and older, renting at 60% of the Area Median Income (AMI).
The ‘Housing for All’ initiative started by Orange County in 2019 has since contributed substantially to the affordable housing sector. Over 2,927 affordable housing units have progressed through various financing mechanisms, including impact fee credits and allocations from the State Housing Initiatives Partnership Program (SHIPP), as laid out by the OCFL Newsroom. The County has also established a Housing Trust Fund, with the Board of County Commissioners committing an impressive $160 million over the fund's first decade to catalyze the development of affordable units.
