8000 People Showed up To Apply for Just 201 Low Income Apartments in Central Florida

Orlando's Pendana at West Lakes mixed-income apartments have debuted with 8,000 prospective tenants inquiring about 201 units, some of which rent for less than half of the going market rate.



The number of applicants for the new development near Camping World Stadium underscores Orlando’s ranking as one of the country’s toughest housing markets for the lowest-income renters, reported the National Low Income Housing Coalition. Metro Orlando’s gap between wages and housing costs hurt the region’s attractiveness as a place to live, according to a new report by U.S. News & World Report that ranked Metro Orlando 78th.



“I hope and pray people see the demand,” said Orlando renter Anita Mouton, who added that she is on a waiting list, hoping Pendana units will open later in the year. “What are they waiting on to create more of these? You need these in this community. This is a low-budget city.”



In search of housing solutions, more than 100 Central Florida officials and housing executives last week finalized a series of regional housing workshops organized by Orange County. Upcoming recommendations are likely to include adding new home-construction taxes, expanding the types of housing allowed in neighborhoods, carving out land trusts to lower costs and requiring some affordable residences in typical communities.