OSCEOLA COUNTY, Fla. — The vacation and apartment rental website Airbnb is reportedly looking into building its first permanent apartments in Osceola County.
It's one of the county's several out-of-the-box proposals to address the affordable housing crisis.
Airbnb has already seen huge business in Central Florida.
The vacation rental website saw more than a 100 percent increase in business since last year in Osceola County.
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“There’s definitely no one-size-fits-all. This idea regarding affordable housing has to be different for us,” said Osceola County Commissioner Peggy Choudry. “We have to start thinking (about a) variety of products.”
The affordable housing problem is well known in Central Florida, particularly where many families live out of motels on U.S. 192.
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The Airbnb project would be geared toward seasonal workers who fill the theme parks and hotel shifts during peak tourist seasons.
But then it would allow them to rent out the unit when they’re not there and offset the cost of rent.
It’s not the only solution county leaders are considering.
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They’re looking at everything from microhouses to container homes to enticing developers to buy affordable land or rundown motels to turn into affordable housing.
The lure for investors, the county argues, is the safety in their money, thanks to projects like Margaritaville and Magic Development pouring billions into Osceola County.
They said affordable housing can also mean big business.
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“What more do we have to say to an investor that says, ‘How secure is my money here and my return investment?’ If anything, now is the time to invest,” said Choudry.
The Airbnb project is still in the discussion phase.
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With the influx of residents coming in from hurricane-ravaged Puerto Rico, the affordable housing problem is expected to get worse.