Orange County Strengthens Support for Emerald Villas

In a unanimous decision at the July 15th meeting, the Orange County Board of County Commissioners approved an Impact Fee Waiver totaling $44,533 to support the construction of Emerald Villas Phase Three, marking the latest step in the County’s commitment to expanding affordable housing in the Pine Hills community.

This fee waiver adds to an earlier $7 million investment in Phase Three, comprised of $2.5 million from Orange County’s Affordable Housing Trust Fund and $4.5 million allocated from the federal American Rescue Plan Act.

Emerald Villas, a comprehensive three-phase housing development, will provide a total of 450 affordable units once complete. Phase One, created 264 units for families, and Phase Two, which delivered 96 units for seniors, have already been completed.

Phase Three, currently under construction at the corner of Via Maior and El Primo Way, will include 90 units designed to serve low-income families. Of those, 23 units are designated for very low-income households earning 50% or less of the Area Median Income (AMI), with the remaining units targeting families earning up to 60% of AMI. The mix will include 31 one-bedroom, 41 two-bedroom, and 18 three-bedroom apartments.

The final phase of Emerald Villas is expected to be completed and ready for occupancy by the end of the year, continuing the County’s push to address housing affordability and improve quality of life for Pine Hills residents.