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 31 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 31 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.
2026: Groundbreaking and site preparation projected to officially launch construction.
2027: Vertical construction projected to begin, with homes and the community center taking shape.
2028: Projected community opening, welcoming the first residents to their new homes.
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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
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join the journey
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We invite you to join us for a Dave’s House Binocular Tour—a private, guided tour of the future homesite where you’ll get a firsthand look at the space and the vision (located on Celery Avenue in Sanford, Florida). You’ll hear how we’re expanding our mission from Orange County into Seminole County and how this new community will transform lives. Tours are held bi-weekly on Thursdays at 9:00 AM and 10:00 AM and last approximately 45 minutes. Every guest will leave with a pair of commemorative Dave’s House binoculars—a token of our gratitude and a symbol of the bright future we’re building together.
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All Dave’s House residential communities in Central Florida are currently at capacity, with properties managed by our trusted partner, Aspire Health Partners. If you're interested in Aspire Health’s programs or future housing opportunities, we’d be happy to connect you. If you are interested in touring a community and learning about becoming a donor or volunteer -please reach out -we’d love to hear from you.
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Make a lasting impact by supporting Dave’s House through a contribution to our capital campaign, endowments, or other legacy giving opportunities.
What the Community Will Include
8 Duplex Homes – Private residences designed for independent living for up to 31 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.
