Two of Orlando’s busiest homebuilders, Taylor Morrison Homes and Ashton Woods, are teaming up with the non-profit HomeAid Orlando to build a tiny home community for youths aging out of foster care.
The community, called The Cottages on Grove, will be located on a 2-acre site in Eustis, Florida. It will consist of 10 tiny homes, each of which will be 610 square feet and have two bedrooms, one bathroom, a kitchen, and a great room.
The project is the brainchild of Denise Burry, executive director of the Forward Paths Foundation, a non-profit organization that provides housing and support services to at-risk youth. Burry said she dreamed of creating a close-knit community where the young people could feel safe and supported as they transition to adulthood.
“This project is so important because it will give these young people a place to call home,” Burry said. “It will also provide them with the support they need to succeed in life.”
The City of Eustis approved the final site plan for The Cottages on Grove earlier this year. Groundbreaking is scheduled for Thursday morning, and construction is expected to take six months. The first residents are expected to move in early 2024.
The project is being funded through a combination of donations, grants, and in-kind contributions from the homebuilders and other partners. HomeAid Orlando is providing construction management services and coordinating the donation of materials and labor.
“We are excited to partner with Forward Paths and Taylor Morrison Homes on this important project,” said Russ Buyer, executive director of HomeAid Orlando. “This is a great example of how we can work together to create affordable housing for those in need.”
The Cottages on Grove is just one example of how homebuilders are working to address the affordable housing crisis in Central Florida. In recent years, there has been a growing movement to build tiny homes as a way to provide affordable housing options. Tiny homes are typically much smaller than traditional homes, but they can still be comfortable and functional.
The Cottages on Grove is a unique project that will provide much-needed housing for youths aging out of foster care. It is a shining example of how homebuilders, non-profits, and community partners can work together to create a more just and equitable world.