Universal Parks & Resorts and Wendover Housing Partners have released the initial development plan for Universal’s ‘Housing for Tomorrow’ initiative, an affordable housing community in Orlando.
‘Housing for Tomorrow’ is designed to address the shortage of affordable housing in the area. The development plan offers a first look at the community, which has been named Catchlight Crossings.
“Our vision has been to bring an innovative, new approach to solving our community’s affordable housing crisis,” said John Sprouls, executive vice president and chief administrative officer for Universal Parks & Resorts.
“This is about creating a community that will put residents first – a place that inspires them and that they will be proud to call home.”
Universal pledged 20 acres of land in the heart of Orlando’s tourist corridor to be used for 1,000 units of affordable housing. The company formed the ‘Housing for Tomorrow’ not-for-profit to oversee the project.
The affordable housing will offer a range of on-site services that will put residents first, including tuition-free preschool, medical offices, a transportation centre, 16,000 square feet of retail space and community event space.
Universal’s ‘Housing for Tomorrow’ initiative
There will also be technology cafés, community gardens, bike and walking paths, a neighbourhood food pantry, fitness centre, game room, playground, two resort-style pools and a grilling gazebo.
“Through this partnership with Universal, we hope to serve as a model for how private employers, local governments and developers can work together to address socioeconomic issues in the communities where we live and work,” said Jonathan L. Wolf, founder and CEO of Wendover Housing Partners.
“What Wendover and Universal are creating here is truly unique and will leave a lasting, positive impact on the community for generations to come.”
Catchlight Crossings will be built and managed by Wendover Housing Partners, a leader in affordable housing solutions.
The development plan, created jointly by Wendover and Universal, has been submitted to the Orange County Planning and Development department.
Elsewhere, Aldar Properties and Louvre Abu Dhabi have announced a partnership to launch the world’s first Louvre residences, and Disney has revealed plans to build residential communities across the US,
Images: Universal/Wendover
