The City of Orlando, (“City”) received approximately $58 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding. The city decided to use the entire $58 million of ARPA allocation to fund essential government services, under the revenue replacement category. The funds were expended during the 2021-22 Fiscal Year. Using the ARPA allocation to fund essential government services allowed the city to leverage general revenues to fund the Accelerate Orlando Initiative, to further our efforts in tackling two of our community's most daunting challenges: homelessness and affordable housing.
Currently we are housing nearly 400 previously homeless residents in permanent, supportive housing. And, over the past few years, we’ve invested more than $43 million to create or preserve housing options for residents at all income levels.
The City of Orlando plans to accelerate our efforts by investing in agencies who provide shelter and wrap-around services to homeless individuals during the day, particularly in downtown Orlando.
Our plans include:
- Investing in the Christian Service Center, Salvation Army, and Coalition for the Homeless to modernize their campuses and provide services to address the needs of unsheltered homeless during the daytime
- Investing in the redevelopment of Pathways Drop In Center, to provide additional space for essential daytime services for individuals who have been diagnosed with serious mental illnesses
The city is also making investments to increase and preserve the availability of affordable housing in our city:
- We invested in the conversion of a former, blighted hotel on Colonial Drive into a new apartment community. Palm Gardens Orlando Apartments includes:
- 119 units reserved for residents at 60% of area median income,
- 15 units reserved for residents at 80% of area median income,
- 15 units reserved for permanent supportive housing, and
- One unit reserved for live-in property management.
- We are investing in the redevelopment of property at Orange Blossom Trail and Jefferson Street, for the future construction of up to 140 affordable apartments.
- We are investing in our Housing Rehabilitation Program, to fund much-needed repairs for approximately 65 low-income homeowners, to help them stay in their homes.
In addition to our efforts to “Accelerate Orlando” investments in homelessness and affordable housing, the city is also allocating funding to support: