ORLANDO, Fla. – Catchlight Crossings, a project led by Wendover Housing Partners, is under construction just south of Epic Universe and is expected to eventually include 1,000 apartment units, an on-site preschool, a grocery store, a giant fitness center, and educational opportunities through the University of Central Florida.
“It’s been a long journey, but to see it come to fruition is really satisfying,” Ryan Von Weller of Wendover Housing Partners told News 6 anchor Matt Austin during an exclusive construction site tour.
The project sits on 20 acres of land owned by Universal not-for-profit Housing for Tomorrow. According to Wendover, Housing for Tomorrow leased the property for near $100 to support the development of workforce housing near the growing tourism district.
Developers said the site required significant preparation before construction could begin.
Wendover invested more than $40 million in site work, including soil improvements and water mitigation efforts, before moving forward with residential construction.
The development is designed to provide housing options for a wide range of income levels while placing residents close to major employers, including theme parks, hospitality businesses and Orlando International Airport.
“You’re in a three-bedroom unit right now. We are gonna have 9-foot ceilings in here, washer and dryer,” Von Weller said while showing one of the units under construction.
According to Wendover, Catchlight Crossings will include 600 affordable housing units and 400 attainable housing units. Affordable housing rents will be based on income qualifications, while attainable housing is intended for households that may earn too much to qualify for traditional affordable housing but still struggle with rising market-rate rents.
“The real rule of thumb is you don’t want anybody spending more than 30% of their income on housing,” Von Weller said.
Wendover said income eligibility will vary depending on household size and housing program requirements. Company officials said some residents may qualify with annual household incomes of $20,000 to $30,000, while attainable housing units could serve families earning up to $100,000 annually.
“Everybody from an hourly employee all the way up to managers,” Von Weller said.
A key feature of the development is its focus on providing services and amenities within walking distance of residents’ homes.
Plans call for an on-site preschool that Wendover hopes could eventually provide free child care for residents, along with a small grocery store, coffee shop, two swimming pools and a 6,000-square-foot fitness center. The property also sits across from a bus depot, giving residents access to public transportation.
“You go downstairs, take the elevator down, drop your kids at preschool and then take the bus to your job at Epic Universe,” Austin commented
“Or wherever. The whole point was to integrate all those things into one big mass development,” Von Weller said.
According to Wendover, Catchlight Crossings is being developed as a mixed-income community centered on housing, education, wellness and workforce development. The project even plans to offer classroom and educational programming opportunities through a partnership with UCF, allowing residents to access educational resources closer to home. There will also be a community healthcare center.
All residents, regardless of income level, will have access to the same amenities throughout the community.
Construction is continuing on the first phase of the project, with Wendover expecting the first residents to begin moving in during late spring or early summer 2027.
What does affordable housing look like?
Anchor Matt Austin met with Katina Gano, a resident at the 144-unit Monroe Landings property in Sanford, one of Wendover Housing Partners’ established communities.
A spokesperson for Wendover says, “Gano’s apartment at Monroe Landings offers a look at the type of thoughtfully designed units coming to Catchlight Crossings, including features such as walk-in closets, in-unit laundry, high-quality finishes and a kitchen island.”
[RELATED: News 6 Anchor Matt Austin speaks with Katina Gano]
During an interview inside Gano’s one-bedroom unit, Austin remarked, “this doesn’t feel like affordable housing.”
Gano agreed, “everybody says, this doesn’t look like low income, this looks like luxury living.”