Without a doubt, Apopka, like most communities, needs affordable housing.
At the February 12th meeting of the Apopka Community Redevelopment Agency, the board discussed turning a city-owned property on South 8th Street and Highland Avenue into either six new homes, five new homes, four bigger homes, or four homes and a pocket park.
A true starter home represents the smallest increment of development — affordable, flexible and built with expansion in mind. Historically, these homes were built with cash or a small loan, sometimes by homeowners themselves, and they were designed for future growth.
Key Traits of a Traditional Starter Home:
- Size: Smaller footprint with an efficient floor plan (~750-1,250 square feet).
- Ownership model: Fee-simple, meaning the home sits on its own lot.
- Design: Simple and efficient, often available as catalog designs or prefabricated kits.
- Construction: DIY-friendly or built by small-scale builders.
- Expandability: Not designed to be “finished” — homes could grow over time with additions.
- Affordability: Materials could be purchased with cash or with a small loan.
- Garage: Enclosed or attached garages were upgrades, not necessities.
This model provided an accessible entry point to homeownership, allowing families to invest incrementally in their homes over time rather than purchasing fully completed houses upfront.
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