ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — In an effort to help with Central Florida’s affordable housing crisis, Walt Disney World has announced plans for a new affordable housing development in southwest Orange County.

The development, planned for the area near the Flamingo Crossings Town center, will include more than 1,300 affordable housing units built on nearly 80 acres of land Disney has set aside for the project. 

The housing units will be built by a third-party, but in a release Wednesday, Disney said it will work with the developer to “bring the same innovation, expertise and attention to detail” that the company is known for to the project.

“We are invested in working together with our community to solve complex issues,“ Disney World president Jeff Vahle said in a statement. “The lack of affordable housing is affecting many people across our country, including right here in Central Florida. With this initiative, we’re lending a hand to make a real and meaningful impact in our community by tapping into the best of our company’s strengths. This is the right opportunity and the right time to take action.”

The housing development will offer a variety of amenties, Disney said. It will be open to qualifying applicants of the general public as well as Disney World employees, known as cast members.

Since the project is still "in the early planning stages" not many details have been shared. However, Disney says more details will be released at a later date. 

Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings praised Disney's new housing initiative. 

“We want to move the needle,” Demings said in a release. “We want to see additional workforce housing closer to where people work and live, and so we know that this is going to be a critical part.”

Disney said this new housing initiative is part of its other community initiatives in Central Florida, including its Disney VoluntEARS program and philanthropic donations to area nonprofits. The company has also made investments in affordable housing outside Florida. In Anaheim, California, the company provided funding to turn a former motel into an apartment community for veterans and homeless people.

With Wednesday's announcement, Disney becomes the latest major company in Central Florida to take on affordable housing projects.   

A few years ago, Universal Orlando pledged 20 acres of land for an affordable housing complex near the site of its upcoming Epic Universe theme park. The development, part of of Universal’s “Housing for Tomorrow” Initiative was recently named Catchlight Crossings. It will include 1,000 apartments, an on-site tuition-free preschool, 16,000 square feet of retail space and a transportation hub for buses.