Orlando is facing a housing crisis, despite its reputation as a top foodie destination and a welcoming haven for the LGBTQ community. However, the City Beautiful faces another, less flattering distinction: it’s one of the most cost-burdened metro areas in the United States. For many residents, the rising cost of housing is outpacing their income, creating significant challenges. A majority of renters in the Orlando metro area now spend more than 30% of their income on rent, with a staggering 28% allocating more than half of their earnings to housing. The region, which includes Orlando, Kissimmee, and Sanford, has become a focal point for housing affordability struggles in Florida.
Renters Feeling the Squeeze
Recent data from Apartment List, using U.S. Census figures, shows that cost-burdened households in Orlando are at an all-time high. Orlando ranks fourth nationwide in terms of renters spending a significant portion of their income on housing, trailing only Tampa, Miami, and Cape Coral in Florida. Nationally, nearly half of renters face similar struggles, but Orlando’s situation is more severe. Even as rent increases have slowed slightly since the dramatic spikes of 2021 and 2022, many residents are still catching up, and others are at risk of being priced out entirely.
For working adults and those on fixed incomes, the gap between wages and rent remains daunting. For example, a one-bedroom apartment in Orlando now costs over 30% more than it did in 2019, while the median household income has only risen by about 20%. For many, these increases have left little room for necessities like food, transportation, and healthcare.
Older Adults and Homelessness on the Rise
The housing affordability crisis has had a devastating impact on Orlando’s senior population. A point-in-time survey conducted earlier this year revealed that over 50% of the 191 homeless seniors counted lacked access to any form of shelter. According to the Homeless Services Network of Central Florida, these individuals often live on Social Security or small pensions, which are not keeping pace with rising costs for housing, food, and medical care.
At night, the effects of this crisis are painfully visible in downtown Orlando. Homeless individuals rest in sleeping bags, wheelchairs, or against concrete walls under overpasses, presenting a stark image to commuters entering Interstate 4. Many are forced to sleep in outdoor encampments or wooded areas, as Florida laws now ban sleeping on sidewalks and streets.
A Shortage of Affordable Housing
One of the biggest contributors to Orlando’s housing crisis is the lack of affordable housing. In 2022, the metro area had only 88 affordable units available for every 100 renter households earning the median income. The numbers are even worse for low-income residents, with a deficit of more than 94,000 affordable housing units. For those looking to purchase a home, the picture isn’t much brighter. Research from Harvard University’s Joint Center for Housing Studies found that in 2023, the median home price in Orlando was 5.7 times the area’s median income, putting homeownership out of reach for many.
Despite these challenges, Orlando remains a popular relocation destination for higher-income earners. Many newcomers can afford to buy homes outright, often paying in cash. This trend has further inflated home prices, making it even harder for locals to compete in the housing market.
Policy Efforts and Setbacks
Local leaders in Orange County, which hosts most of the region’s homeless shelters, have attempted to address the crisis. During the 2022 midterm elections, voters approved a temporary rent control measure that would have capped rent increases at 9.8% for one year. The proposal won 59% of the vote but faced stiff opposition from the real estate industry. Ultimately, the Florida Legislature passed a law banning rent control measures statewide, and the Orange County initiative was abandoned after a legal challenge reached the Florida Supreme Court.
Housing advocates saw this as a significant setback, especially given the region’s desperate need for relief. Experts argue that the shortage of affordable housing supply is one of the main reasons rent and home prices have climbed so sharply. Many developers focus on building luxury apartments and high-end homes, leaving low- and middle-income residents with few options.
Tackling the Crisis: Solutions and Challenges
To combat the growing housing problem, both Orlando and Orange County have invested in various programs and initiatives. These include incentivizing developers to build affordable housing, offering employment assistance to low-wage workers, and addressing other risk factors for homelessness, such as substance abuse. However, progress has been slow, and the need continues to outpace the solutions.
As rents and home prices continue to rise faster than wages, the housing crisis remains one of the most pressing issues facing Orlando. For many residents, it’s not just a matter of finding a place to live—it’s about holding on to their financial stability and their future in a city they call home. The efforts of local leaders and housing advocates will be crucial in determining whether Orlando can overcome these challenges and become a more affordable place for all its residents.
