WINTER PARK, Fla. — A newly approved housing development in Winter Park is bringing a 53-unit multi-family apartment and townhome complex to the city.

It will replace the old Patmos Chapel Seventh Day Adventist Church on West Swoope and Webster Avenue. While that congregation has moved to Apopka, some people still living in the West Winter Park area say developments like this are pushing some people out.

“I’m gonna call it for what it is. The white people are knocking them out and pushing them away,” said Rodney Coronezo, who used to worship at the old Patmos Chapel building. “That’s what’s going on. They are pushing them out, further and further and further until they have nowhere to go.”

While Coronezo now attends the new Apopka building, his home is still in West Winter Park.

“I used to come in here, sneak in here, and clean this church,” he said. “When they found out about me, I lived on the street. But they invited me in. When I came in here, I never left.”

Coronezo said he’d like the City of Winter Park to address affordable housing concerns in the area. He welcomes a new neighboring housing complex in West Winter Park if it’s low-cost.

“It’s not all about the money... it’s about the people,” said Coronezo.

Spectrum News reached out to the City of Winter Park about Coronezo’s concerns. In a statement, a city spokesperson said:

“This property has an existing zoning of medium density residential (R-3) and the project is not removing any housing. In fact, it is replacing a former church building with new housing opportunities for the area.”

In last month’s meeting, the mayor addressed residents’ concerns about affordable housing. He said he’s encouraged by the community redevelopment agency’s focus on additional affordable housing.

City leaders also encouraged residents to notify them about potential lots for sale that the city can consider purchasing for affordable housing.