Orange County, Florida, is taking a proactive approach to address its growing housing crisis with the launch of the Ready Set Orange initiative. This program aims to increase the availability of “missing middle” and attainable housing units by providing residents and organizations with pre-approved designs for Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) and single-family homes.
The initiative offers eight pre-approved designs at no cost, ranging from one to three bedrooms and 531 to 1,483 square feet. These designs include four ADU models and four starter home single-family models, making them accessible to a wide range of individuals and families.
One of the key benefits of using the pre-approved designs is the expedited review process. By selecting one of these models, applicants can save time and money as the plans have already been approved by the county. This can significantly reduce the review period, potentially allowing for faster construction timelines.
However, it’s important to note that any modifications to the pre-approved designs may extend the review process.
While the county doesn’t have an exact estimate of how many units will be built through the initiative, there has been significant interest since its launch. Residents and organizations interested in participating can visit the Ready Set Orange website and submit a request form.
The need for affordable housing in Orange County is urgent. A recent report found that the region was the second most unaffordable rental market in the nation, with over 60% of renters spending more than 30% of their monthly income on rent.
Orange County has been working to address this issue through various initiatives, including the Housing for All program, which aims to create 86,100 housing units by 2030. While progress has been made, there is still a significant need for affordable and attainable housing options.
Ready Set Orange is a promising step towards increasing the supply of missing middle housing in Orange County. By providing pre-approved designs and streamlining the approval process, the initiative aims to make it easier for residents and organizations to build affordable and attainable homes.