Florida Construction News staff writer

The Walt Disney Company has announced plans to build 1,300 affordable houses for workers at its Disney World Florida theme park.

Real estate company The Michaels Organization will work as the developer for the project to be built close to the Flamingo Crossings town centre.

The project will be privately financed and limited to applicants within a certain income range.

“We are excited to work with an iconic brand like Disney to deliver attainable housing for the Central Florida community,” said John O’Donnell, Michaels Organisation’s chief executive, said John O’Donnell, Michaels Organisation’s chief executive officer.

“Our goal is to create a repeatable model that we hope will inspire other companies and municipalities to create high quality, attainable housing in their own communities.”

The initiative will be in line with Orange County’s “Housing for All” action plan and is expected to create new jobs in the Central Florida community through The Michael’s Organization’s construction and ongoing operation of the property. Details including a construction timeline, will be released in 2023.

“We will continue to find ways to use our resources to make a difference in the community we call home, and we’re excited to take this step with a nationally recognized developer,” said Jeff Vahle, Walt Disney World Resort’s president. “We will continue to find ways to use our resources to make a difference in the community we call home, and we’re excited to take this step with a nationally recognized developer.”