A few weeks ago city officials worried a delay in federal funding would push finishing up Kissimmee’s first emergency housing facility into next year.
On Tuesday, the city announced it obtained $1.8 million needed to wrap up renovations this year on Osceola County’s only such facility open to men, women and children — helping provide stable housing for hundreds of residents in need.
“It’s a one-of-a-kind project in Central Florida that focuses on affordable housing, critical support services and opportunities to address those who are unsheltered or at risk for homelessness,” Deputy City Manager Desiree Matthews said. “It is the first major affordable housing and homelessness initiative here in the city of Kissimmee.”
Uncertainty over funding the federal government ended March 23 when President Joe Biden signed a $1.2 trillion spending package. That allowed for Kissimmee’s Haven on Vine project to get support through Community Project Funding.
Matthews said funds will go toward remodeling the former Super 8 motel into affordable apartments and emergency housing units slated to open toward the end of the year. The site is on the corner of Vine and North Hollywood streets.
“Right now they’re standard hotel rooms so in order for us to have these really serve as a functional studio apartment it needs a kitchen,” Matthews said.
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The Haven on Vine marks the city’s first effort to create an emergency housing alternative to motels and the only facility in the county dedicated to rapid housing.
“The focus is on finding individuals and working with individuals who have the intent on ending their homelessness,” Matthews said.
The project comes as homelessness has risen over 60% throughout Osceola County in the last five years. The facility will prioritize those experiencing homelessness along with victims of domestic violence, families with children, displaced or homeless seniors and veterans.
The facility will serve residents who have lived in the county for a minimum of one year and meet federally established low-income qualifications. The city plans to contract with a nonprofit to handle the facility and placement of individuals.
“The goal of the entity that we hire is to figure out different plans of how to address the different levels of homelessness in our community and ensure those who are placed in the emergency housing want to be housed,” Matthews said.
The funding comes as over 40 leaders from county, city and local nonprofits toured different affordable housing projects across Osceola by bus Tuesday that are also funded by federal grants.
“These are the types of projects that are going to help so many folks who literally cannot afford to live here anymore and they may be longtime residents,” said Congressman Darren Soto, D-Kissimmee, who has helped the city and county secure funding for projects including Haven on Vine.
The tour updated officials on the progress of projects that include affordable housing for those with special needs at Dillingham apartment complex, Haven on Vine and the second phase of affordable housing at Cameron Preserve.
Matthews said Haven on Vine is already leasing affordable apartments to those who qualify and currently has over 50% occupancy.
Individuals and families interested in residency at Haven on Vine are encouraged to contact the city of Kissimmee for more information by emailing [email protected] or contacting the Haven office at 407-518-2553.
