62% of Central Florida renters are cost-burdened, says Habitat for Humanity
Nineteen local executives installed windows and house wrap on two homes in Sanford to advance construction at a new 19-unit affordable housing community.
By Katherine Diallo ·
Sixty-two percent of renters in Central Florida spend more than 35% of their income on housing, according to data presented by Habitat for Humanity Seminole-Apopka. The organization cited this statistic to explain the urgency behind its recent construction efforts in the region.
Nineteen Central Florida executives worked on the ground in Sanford on Monday, Oct. 5. They installed windows and Tyvek house wrap on two homes at Legacy Square. This physical labor is part of the annual Executive Build event, which coincides with World Habitat Day. The work prepares the structures for the next phase of construction.
Legacy Square is a new development featuring 19 single-family, energy-efficient homes. Habitat is developing the community with local partners. The project aims to provide housing where monthly payments can be approximately half of a buyer's previous rent. On Oct. 5, Habitat CEO Penny Seater, Board Chair David Johnson, and Waste Pro executive Erik Sankey addressed the group. They were joined by Executive Build Chairman Jay Zembower and Michelle, a future homeowner.
Housing costs in the area present a steep financial barrier. The median home price sits at approximately $419,000, which exceeds five times the median household income. For renters, the 2026 HUD fair market rent for a two-bedroom unit is $2,254 per month. This equates to an annual requirement of $90,160, or $43.35 per hour for a full-time worker.
Penny Seater stated that essential workers who care for the community, teach students, and maintain public safety often cannot afford two-bedroom rentals or down payments. She noted that Habitat's role is to support families through the entire process, extending beyond the initial transfer of keys to long-term community building.
