As the second fastest growing county in Florida, Osceola County faces a crisis to create sustainable communities, and as the population continues to increase, the need for affordable housing will continue to grow.

According to the University of Florida’s Shimberg Center for Housing Studies 2016 Rental Market Study Report, the Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) has the third highest deficiency for low income households in the state.

This deficiency lead to an initiative launched in 2016 for Osceola, Orange and Seminole counties to strategize better housing options, attempting to create a plan that would impact our community positively, and for years to come.

“All too often, strained budgets and resources mean they are particularly vulnerable to the threat of homelessness,” said Osceola County Commission Chairwoman Cheryl Grieb. “When you look at the challenges we all face, the need for collaboration, cooperation and commitment is the only way to guarantee that our most vulnerable residents can enjoy the quality of life that often eludes them.”

Cameron Preserve, a 100-unit apartment complex that opened in May , 2019, has successfully provided affordable rental units focused on transitioning families out of hotels and homelessness. This innovative concept was made possible by a public-private partnership between Osceola County, the Parramore Construction Company, Inc. and the Florida Housing Finance Corporation.

This apartment complex offers numerous resident programs, such as employment assistance programs, health and wellness services, financial management programs, and on-site food programs.

We want to congratulate Cameron Preserve for receiving the highest honor from the American Planning Association Florida, an Award of Excellence, for demonstrating innovation and state-of-the-art planning methods and practices helped to implement a plan. The award will be presented at the APA’s state conference this fall. The highest honor, an Award of Excellence, is bestowed for projects that exhibit excellence in nearly every aspect of their planning and execution.

Positively Osceola would like to recognize this collaboration, partnership and synergy between counties and the private sector towards making a Positive Difference in the lives of Osceola County residents.