Dave’s House at Celery Community

our first multi-unit community

At Dave’s House, we know that ending the housing crisis for adults with serious mental illness begins with a safe, permanent home. For more than 16 years, we’ve been creating lasting recovery and transforming lives through housing stability, community connection, and supportive partnerships. Now, we are taking a bold next step. We are incredibly excited to introduce Dave’s House at Celery Community, our first multi-unit residential community in Central Florida. Located in Seminole County, this innovative neighborhood will provide a welcoming, supportive home for up to 20 adults living with serious mental illness and co-occurring disabilities. The community is designed to do more than house residents—it creates a foundation for dignity, purpose, and belonging. This project is made possible through powerful partnerships. Dave’s House has joined with Community Assisted & Supported Living (CASL) as co-developer and operational partner, and HomeAid Orlando as design and building partner. Together, we are combining statewide expertise, local leadership, and building industry talent to create a first-of-its-kind residential community in Seminole County.

The new community will feature 8 duplex homes, each designed as a private residence that supports independent living for up to 20 residents. At the heart of the neighborhood, a 3,500-square-foot community center will serve as a hub for workshops, social connection, and group activities. Surrounding green spaces will provide safe outdoor areas that promote wellness and encourage a sense of community. Residents will also benefit from essential services including on-site case management, peer support, healthcare partnerships, educational sessions, and job readiness programs. With convenient access to public transportation and local resources, the community is designed to foster both independence and connection.

Why this matters

For Residents: Moves individuals from isolation and instability to safety, dignity, and a community of support.
For the Community: Offers a scalable solution that reduces homelessness and addresses behavioral health needs.
For Donors & Partners: Delivers measurable impact with a model that can be replicated across Florida.

PRoject Milestones

2023: Family of Friends, Inc. donates 5-acre parcel of land in Sanford, providing the location for the new Dave’s House community.
2024: Closing on the property, rezoning, and annexation completed; Dave’s House secures a $1 million Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta grant, one of the largest in its history.
2025: Engineering and architectural design underway to bring the vision to life. CASL and HomeAid Orlando partnerships secured.
2025: Florida Housing Finance Corporation (FHFC) approves $500,000 in predevelopment funding to support planning and design work
2025: Dave’s House Reaches $2.7M of the community support needed to reach the $7.8M Capital Campaign Goal
2026: Welcome our NEW Community Care Navigator
2026: Clearing the Way - Stake Holder Pre-Demolition Experience
2026: Demotion of Existing Structure
2026: BIG Nova Grant of $500K, brings us to $3.2M of the community support needed to reach the $7.8M Capital Campaign Goal
2026: Groundbreaking
2027: Vertical Construction projected to begin, with homes and the community center taking shape
2027: Hard Hat Tours
2027: Pre Qualification for New Residents
2028: Projected Community Opening, welcoming the first residents to their new homes

Case for Support

7/30/25 - Orlando Sentinel Growth Spotter - Subscriber Content
Dave’s House is raising funding for a community in Sanford that would provide housing for up to 30 residents at a time. The project would deliver eight duplexes with between one and three bedrooms. Each bedroom would have its own bathroom, allowing residents to have their own private space, and each duplex would feature a community kitchen, a living room, storage areas, laundry facilities, and a patio.em description
A Central Florida organization providing stable housing for adults living with a serious mental illness is raising money to build its first residential community in Seminole County.
Sanford approves 4.8-acre project for affordable mental health housing

What the Community Will Include

8 Duplex Homes – Private residences designed for independent living for up to 20 residents.
3,500 sq. ft. Community Center – A hub for workshops, social connection, and group activities.
Green Spaces – Safe outdoor areas that encourage well-being and community.
Essential Services – On-site case management, peer support, healthcare partnerships, educational sessions, and job readiness programs.
Accessibility – Convenient access to public transportation and local resources.

join the journey - fuel the vision

A one time investment in our Keys to Change capital campaign funds the construction of new Dave’s House multi unit community in Sanford, Florida. Your funds provide supportive housing for adults ready to rebuild their lives. Your investment directly supports new housing developments, resident amenities, and vital community partnerships that make recovery possible.