Six veterans who have experienced homelessness are set to move into newly renovated apartments at the Maxwell Terrace complex in Orlando.
Pathlight HOME held a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Thursday to mark the completion of the units, which follows the nationwide observance of Veterans Day.
The project involved the conversion of a former penthouse suite into five ADA-accessible apartments, supplemented by an additional unit on the ground floor. All six homes have already been assigned to veterans, though move-in dates remain pending until construction crews finalize work on the building’s stairs and complete the installation of an elevator.
Pathlight HOME President and CEO Carl Falconer said that the organization identified the underutilized penthouse space as an opportunity to address the local demand for veteran housing. The project secured significant financial backing from local government sources, including more than $500,000 from the State Housing Initiatives Partnership and nearly $100,000 from the Orange County Affordable Housing Trust Fund. The city of Orlando provided over $18,000 in fee waivers through its Orlando Unlocked initiative.
The units were specifically designed to meet the needs of residents with mobility challenges, featuring accessible bathrooms and dedicated kitchen areas. Beyond physical shelter, the program provides residents with access to on-site case management, mental health counseling, employment assistance, and culinary training.
For U.S. Army veteran Michael Bailey, the expansion of housing options is a critical step in the reintegration process. Bailey, who experienced homelessness after his military service, now serves as a case manager at Pathlight HOME, where he assists other veterans in finding housing resources.
“When I first got my set of keys to my new home, it gave me a sense of identity back. It made me feel like a productive member of society again,” Bailey said. He emphasized that the demand for such programs remains high, adding, “There need to be more housing, affordable housing for veterans.”
Pathlight HOME reports that its veteran outreach program has enrolled nearly 100 individuals, successfully placing 67 of them into housing. Orlando District 5 Commissioner Shan Rose attended the ceremony, stating that the city remains committed to collaborating with local nonprofits to increase the availability of affordable living spaces.
While the six units at Maxwell Terrace are fully occupied, the challenge of capacity persists for the organization. Falconer said that most of the group’s existing properties are currently at full occupancy. Consequently, Pathlight HOME is continuing its search for further development opportunities to accommodate the ongoing need for stable veteran housing in the region.
The organization continues to coordinate with local agencies to manage the waitlists and support services for the veterans involved in the program. As construction concludes on the necessary accessibility upgrades, the residents are expected to transition into their new homes.
