Orlando Housing Authority Plans Lake Mann Redevelopment

The city moves to replace 207 aging housing units with a 390-unit mixed-use community.

Updated on Oct. 25, 2026 in Apartments

Orlando Housing Authority Plans Lake Mann Redevelopment

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The Orlando Housing Authority is planning to redevelop the historic Lake Mann Homes site into a modern mixed-use neighborhood. The project will replace 207 existing housing units with 390 new residential spaces featuring updated amenities.

Why it matters

The redevelopment addresses accessibility issues in the 1951-built complex, where second-floor bedrooms currently pose significant challenges for elderly residents. By increasing density, the authority aims to modernize the local housing stock while improving resident safety and convenience.

The plan replaces 207 units with 390 new homes, including 300 multifamily units and 90 townhomes, duplexes, or single-family homes. The site will also feature 9,000 square feet of retail space and a 15,000-square-foot community center.

The players

Orlando Housing Authority

This local agency manages and develops affordable housing initiatives throughout the city of Orlando.

Orlando Appearance Review Board

This municipal body oversees the design and aesthetic standards for new development projects in Orlando.

The details

The developer will utilize a PD amendment to raise maximum building heights from 45 feet to 60 feet. The construction process will take place in multiple phases and requires the abandonment of all existing interior streets.

Timeline

  1. 1951: The original Lake Mann Homes project was built.

  2. October 15, 2026: The Orlando Appearance Review Board approved the Carver Park design.

  3. Q1 2027: Construction is expected to start at the Carver Park site.

  4. Late 2027 or early 2028: Construction is expected to start on the Griffin Park senior housing units.

Culture Shift

This project reflects the broader urban trend of replacing mid-century public housing with high-density, mixed-use developments. By moving away from older, non-accessible residential layouts, the city follows a model prioritized by the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit program.

Residents of the current Lake Mann Homes will see their living conditions evolve through the addition of accessible units and modern community amenities. The project will also change the local neighborhood landscape by introducing new retail space and increasing residential density.

The takeaway

The redevelopment highlights the ongoing effort to modernize older public housing to meet contemporary accessibility standards. Residents and stakeholders should monitor upcoming construction phases to understand the long-term impact on neighborhood density and local services.

What happens next

Construction on the Carver Park site is scheduled to begin in Q1 2027, followed by the start of the Griffin Park senior housing project in late 2027 or early 2028.

Further reading

For more information on housing developments in the region, visit the Orlando Apartments section.

Source note: This article includes information reported by Orlando Sentinel.

Live Poll

Should local authorities prioritize increasing housing density when redeveloping older public housing projects in your area?