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Major Permit Approved for Disney’s Attainable Housing Community in Central Florida
Disney’s long discussed attainable housing project just moved a big step closer to reality. A major environmental permit has officially been approved, clearing one of the most important hurdles before construction can begin on the planned residential community near Walt Disney World. The approval came from the South Florida Water Management District and allows stormwater management and drainage work to move forward on the site along Hartzog Road in southwest Orange County.
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The permit, known as an Individual Environmental Resource Permit, was granted on January 23, 2026, and remains valid through January 23, 2031. This authorization is required before any land clearing or vertical construction can start, making it one of the most significant milestones in the project’s timeline so far. Plans filed with the permit outline a community of roughly 1,369 housing units, along with utilities, internal roadways, and stormwater systems to support the development.
Disney first announced the attainable housing initiative back in 2022, committing around 80 acres of company owned land to help address Central Florida’s housing affordability challenges. At the time, Jeff Vahle emphasized Disney’s long standing investment in the region and its role in being part of the solution.
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While the housing is expected to include opportunities for eligible Walt Disney World Cast Members, Disney will not own or operate the community. Instead, the project will be developed, owned, and managed by The Michaels Organization. No construction start date has been announced yet, but this approval signals that the project is officially inching closer to breaking ground.
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