The Town of Eatonville has been selected to receive Community Development Block Grant-Mitigation (CDBG-MIT) funds based on the Eatonville Water System Hardening & Resiliency Improvements application submitted for the Rebuild Florida Mitigation General Infrastructure Program.

The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity announced the award in a letter this month to Eatonville CRA Executive Director Michael Johnson.

The award amount is up to $5,986,105.

The Department of Economic Opportunity will work with Eatonville CRA staff to put the funds to work, outlining a scope of work and budget for Eatonville water system hardening and resiliency improvements.

Read the letter

Housing Rehabilitation Program

The Program offers technical assistance for very low income homeowners to address repairs deemed urgent and necessary to ensure the health and safety of the residents. It requires that repairs performed meet or exceed the minimum standards of the Orange County (Minimum) Housing Code.

Types of assistance may include roofing, plumbing, electrical, repair or replacement of HVAC systems, septic repairs, etc. Contracts are awarded to the lowest responsive bidder.

Contractors who bid and perform housing repairs are licensed, insured and pre-qualified.

Terms and conditions

• Up to $75,000 of assistance may be provided.
• Properties constructed prior to 1978 will be tested for the presence of lead-based paint. If found, it will be abated as part of the home repair/renovation.
• Repairs or improvements will be prioritized by the Housing Rehabilitation Inspector based on the condition of the property.
• Certain improvements may be ineligible or beyond the scope of the program.
• The repairs performed by the contractor will be covered by a one-year warranty.
• Depending on the amount of funds required to perform the necessary repairs, a second mortgage and note at zero percent interest will be placed on the home for a period of up to 15 years.

Who is eligible to apply?

• Owners must reside in the home, provide proof of ownership, and meet income criteria.
• Owners must have owned and resided in the house for at least the past 12 months.
• The property must be located in Orange County
• Mortgage and real estate taxes on the home must be current.

How do I get started?

• Contact our office to secure a pre-application form.
• We will mail or e-mail the pre-application form. There is a waiting list for home repair and rehabilitation services, therefore we encourage homeowners to apply before problems become severe.
• Approval of your pre-application will determine eligibility for placement on our waitlist.

Minor Repair Grant Program

The Grant Program provides rehabilitation grants to homeowners for emergency home repairs. Priority is given in order of repairs to address the following.

• Major code violations
• Minor code violations
• Appearance of deteriorating conditions

The program may also give priority to homeowners that are elderly, disabled, or living on fixed incomes.

Terms and conditions

• Up to $10,000 of assistance may be provided in the Grant Program.
• Certain improvements may be ineligible or beyond the scope of the Program
• Repairs generally include one or more of the following conditions: plumbing, electrical, roofing, and other emergency repairs as authorized by Housing staff.
• The repairs performed by contractors are covered by a one-year guarantee.
• Mobile, modular & manufactured homes are ineligible.

The Weatherization Assistance Program administered by the Osceola Council on Aging is available for FREE to qualifying low-income households.

Osceola Council on Aging
Call Jordan Love
407-933-9531

Clients can sign up at the Community Centers below:
East Orange, Hal P. Marston, Holden Heights, John Bridges, Maxey, Pine Hills, Taft.

** Must provide: FLA. ID (Adults), Household SS Card(s), Proof of ALL Household Income,
Proof of Home Ownership, Last 2 Electric Bills and Proof of Disability (if applicable).

Click here: Weatherization Assistance Programs Application

The Eatonville Community Redevelopment Agency is exploring the potential role autonomous vehicles could make when tied with the Town of Eatonville Historic Trail and Main Street, linking to Maitland’s SunRail station.

“While we are in the exploration stage, I’m excited about seeing if it is feasible for our community,” said Michael Johnson, Executive Director of the CRA.

TALLAHASSEE –

Secretary of State Laurel M. Lee announced today the designation of Eatonville as a Florida Main Street community. The designation provides technical assistance from the Florida Main Street Program to support local revitalization and preservation efforts.

“I am happy to welcome Eatonville as the newest Florida Main Street community,” said Secretary of State Laurel M. Lee. “Eatonville’s designation as the nation’s first incorporated African-American town shows the determination of a community invested in their heritage. I look forward to working with them to rejuvenate their historic downtown.”

Secretary Lee’s designation is based on the December 18, 2019 recommendation of the 2019 ad hoc Florida Main Street Advisory Committee. Composed of five members, the organizations represented included the Florida Division of Historical Resources, MainStreet DeLand Association, Florida Department of Economic Opportunity, 1000 Friends of Florida and Florida Trust for Historic Preservation.

Located in Orange County, Eatonville is a small community of approximately 2,500 residents. Eatonville is named after local landowner Josiah Eaton who sold his land to newly-freed slaves in the early 1880s. The town was incorporated in 1887 as the first African-American incorporated town in the United States. Heavily rooted in both faith and education, Eatonville’s Hungerford Industrial School was founded in 1889 and served as a premier location for African-American education throughout the state. In addition, author and folklorist Zora Neale Hurston spent her childhood in Eatonville. Each year, Zora! Festival is a three-day celebration in Eatonville that honors her legacy.

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About Florida Main Street                                                                               

Florida Main Street is a program administered by the Division of Historical Resources under the Florida Department of State, which currently oversees 47 communities throughout the state. By implementing the National Main Street Center’s Four-Point Approach©, Florida Main Street encourages economic development within the context of historic preservation through the revitalization of Florida’s downtowns – the community’s heart and soul.