Congressman Maxwell Frost Secures $11.3 Million in Funding For Central Florida Community Projects As Appropriations Bills Head to House Floor
WASHINGTON, DC — Today, Congressman Maxwell Alejandro Frost (FL-10) announced that all 15 of his Community Funding Projects requests have been successfully voted out of the Appropriations Committee, bringing the Congressman one step closer to delivering over $11.3 million for critical projects across Central Florida.
Over the course of the last six months, Congressman Frost has worked closely with local community partners and stakeholders to submit funding proposals for 15 comprehensive projects to support a wide range of efforts from affordable housing to infrastructure and transportation.
Some of the landmark projects included in Frost’s requests were funding to:
- Support the construction of quality, affordable small houses for low-income people in Bithlo;
- Construct a multicultural senior center where folks can congregate and be connected to services in partnership with the Office on Aging;
- Improve safety through infrastructure at LYNX bus shelters and enlarge bus bays;
- Convert a vacant property in Eatonville into an affordable multi-family housing rental apartment building.
The projects were included as part of the final bill text in the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development and the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies bills. The legislation must still be voted on in the House and passed by the Senate before heading to the President’s desk and becoming law.
“I came to Congress with a mission to deliver on affordable housing, transportation and infrastructure issues, and to make our communities a better place where everyone can live and thrive,” said Congressman Maxwell Frost. “I am proud to say that our team is now one step closer to securing millions in critical funding for key projects across Central Florida that will make a significant impact on thousands of our neighbors across the Orlando-area. I won’t stop fighting until we bring these dollars home.”
“Partnerships at the local and federal level are a win-win for the residents of Orange County," said Mayor Jerry L. Demings. “We are thankful that these programs to support low-income seniors, our bus riders, and the residents of Orange County who will benefit from the use of the Multicultural Senior Center are one step closer to reality, thanks to Congressman Frost.”
“With the rising cost of housing prices, attainability is more important than ever,” said Eatonville Mayor Angie Gardner. “The Town's ability to eventually offer affordable housing that enhances the value of life in the Town, will help to rejuvenate the Town as a whole. I would like to thank Congressman Frost for his diligent efforts and for always considering the Town of Eatonville.”
“We’re thrilled that Congressman Frost understands the critical need for the Small House Project at Transformation Village and that he’s advocating for it in the upcoming legislation,” said Karla Radka, President and CEO of Senior Resource Alliance. “We’ve seen how the affordable housing crisis is affecting seniors and their families in our community, and this project will provide innovative, quality and affordable housing options for Central Florida’s most vulnerable populations.”
“I am so grateful that Congressman Frost and the House Appropriations Committee stepped forward with this significant appropriation to help address the incredible need for safe quality affordable housing in the Bithlo community and the great need to also provide an innovative housing alternative, the small houses, to trailers that become unhealthy and unsafe places to live over time,” said Timothy J. McKinney, Chief Executive Officer, United Global Outreach.
“We are grateful for Congressman Frost’s support, which allows us to provide educational resources for our children,” said Keith Dvorchik, CEO of Shalom Orlando. “This space will offer virtual reality education, and offer tools that empower students to explore science, technology, creativity, and innovation. We strive to prepare children for a future that includes jobs we are only beginning to imagine. Research makes clear that investing in children through high quality learning environments directly correlates to social and economic success later in life. The space will be used by children of all ages, as well as adults and seniors.”
Congressman Frost was able to secure the following in the Appropriations bills voted out of Committee:
- $500,000 for North Independence Lane Expansion for the City of Maitland;
- $370,000 to provide low-income seniors with high efficiency air conditioning replacement, service, or system upgrades so they can stay in their homes longer;
- $271,000 for Transportation Mobility Hubs for Orange County Government;
- $1,000,000 for construction at the Multicultural Senior Center;
- $500,000 for a housing rehabilitation and affordability preservation program in the City of Winter Park;
- $750,000 for the Small House Project at Transformation Village in Bithlo;
- $850,000 for bus bay reconstruction at LYNX Central Station Bus Terminal;
- $500,000 for solar technology for bus shelters and shelter refacing for LYNX;
- $200,000 to purchase and install a thermal energy storage system for Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida;
- $3,500,000 for the Town of Eatonville to create a multi-family affordable housing apartment building;
- $400,000 for roof replacements for Meadow Lake Apartments for the Orlando Housing Authority;
- $500,000 for community center education space for Shalom Orlando;
- $750,000 for community center rehabilitation for the Community Violence Intervention Project as part of the City of Orlando;
- $255,000 for acquisition and rehabilitation of a vacant two-unit complex to create into affordable housing;
- $959,752 for stormwater management improvements for Haralson Estates.
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