What happens when the Orlando Housing Authority gets the green light to tear down the public housing projects at Griffin Park, Murchison Terrace, Lake Mann, Ivey Lane and Reeves Terrace and Lorna Doone?   Residents will be given vouchers they can present to private landlords (which may or may not be accepted if the reimbursement is enough) and then if new housing is built on the site of the projects, they could return later. Griffin Park The situation for present public housing residents is further complicated because Orlando is experiencing a catastrophic shortage of affordable housing – the worst in the nation. A recent report says Central Florida needs more than 115,000 units of affordable housing. The federal Department of Housing and Urban Development’s strategy   has changed from running and providing public housing to "helping HUD-assisted families achieve self-sufficiency" according to HUD chief Ben Carson. Carson’s comment comes at a time wh...

The Orlando Housing Authority pulled a fast one on residents and the public Thursday (6/21). Residents and others planned to attend the Housing Authority board meeting that was listed for 2 p.m. Thursday because many people were alarmed at the  news   that the Griffin Park public housing in Parramore is scheduled to be demolished.  The meeting noticed was listed days ago on the Orlando City Clerk's website. Under the Florida Sunshine Law meetings of public bodies, such as the Housing Authority board, are supposed to post advanced notice they are planning to meet. However, the Housing Authority meeting notice was posted, but the meeting was not held. A spokeswoman for the Housing Authority said there was a mix-up and that the meeting will be held 2 p.m. next Thursday (6/28) at 325 N. Hillside Ave. Griffin Park, which sits at the edge of State Road 408 just off Parramore Avenue, was the subject of  a major investigative article in the Huffington Post...