On Wednesday, Osceola County, led by District 2 Commissioner Viviana Janer, celebrated the completion of Cameron Preserve Phase 2 with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, marking the addition of 84 new affordable housing units to the existing 100-unit community. This expansion was made possible through a substantial $8.2 million financial commitment from the Osceola County Board, underscoring the county’s dedication to addressing affordable housing needs.
“Today is an exciting day. We just cut the ribbon on Cameron Preserve Phase II. So, if you all recall the first phase was 100 units. We now just cut the ribbon on 84 new units. Today, the county has supported many affordable housing initiatives and will continue to do so,” said Osceola County Commissioner Viviana Janer.
In 2015, Commissioner Janer brought the property’s suitability for housing to the board and the County purchased the “Yates Property” aka Cameron Preserve as part of a Housing First strategic initiative to prioritize permanent housing, thereby serving as a platform for people to improve their quality of life.
The County previously partnered with Birdsong Housing Partners and Parramore Construction Company, Inc., and the Florida Housing Finance Corporation on Phase 1, which built the 100-unit affording rental housing complex off U.S. Highway 192 and began leasing units in 2018.
With the infrastructure already in place for Cameron Preserve Phase II, County funds were being used as gap funding to supplement the construction loan along with low-income housing tax credits from the Florida Housing Finance Corporation. The units will remain affordable for 50 years.
Cameron Preserve includes a community building with computers and printers, as well as classroom space. Several resident programs such as employment assistance programs, health and wellness services, financial management programs, and on-site food programs are available.
The development’s location near U.S. Highway 192 means transportation, employment opportunities, schools, shopping recreational facilities are all close by.
Phase 1 of Cameron Preserve was an innovative public-private partnership between the County and its partners to build affordable rental units and transition families out of hotels and homelessness.
Hernan and Aura Perez, who attended Wednesday’s ribbon cutting, lived with their daughter before moving into Cameron Preserve Phase 2. Prior to that, they suffered major losses during a hurricane and experienced displacement.
Cameron Preserve Phase 2 is currently on a waitlist after reaching rental capacity over the course of one weekend.
