Lakeland's Midtown Lofts move city toward affordable housing goals

Affordable apartments open in Lakeland

Ken Suarez reports

LAKELAND, Fla. - Lakeland is making a concerted effort to solve its affordable housing crisis with the newly-opened Midtown Lofts, a public-private partnership on North Lake Avenue.

Midtown Lofts has 80 moderately priced one, two, and three-bedroom apartments. The building's first tenants are excited to live in a nice neighborhood for an affordable price.

"It's awesome," commented Austin Oliver, one of the first tenants to move in. "It is the nicest place I have ever lived in, for sure."

Lakeland's Midtown Lofts

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Oliver’s one-bedroom apartment has granite countertops and stainless steel appliances. The building also has a fitness center, media room, and business center with computers.

Quite a deal, considering that some residents are paying a third of what they would for a similar unit elsewhere.

Homeownership could be closer for Polk residents

Construction will soon begin on four affordable homes in Lakeland and Davenport. The project was approved last week by the Polk County Board of County Commissioners.

Midtown Lofts is Lakeland's latest effort to combat the lack of affordable housing in the city.

MORE: Concerned about cost of housing, Polk plans to build affordable homes

Banyan Preserve, another moderate-income community with upscale amenities recently opened. The city also has two other projects in the works, targeted to people on a tight budget.

Lakeland hopes to add 500 new moderate-income units by 2023.

"We are on line to hit our goal," explained Lakeland Mayor Bill Mutz. "Our real desire is to go beyond the goal."

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