Construction Begins on Ekos at Rockledge Park, $38.2M Affordable Housing Community

• Construction has started on Ekos at Rockledge Park, a $38.2 million affordable housing development at 1505 Cogswell Street in Rockledge, Florida.
• The five-story community will deliver 100 affordable apartments for households earning between 30% and 70% of the Area Median Income (AMI).
• Developed by McDowell Housing Partners, the project is expected to be completed during the first quarter of 2028 and marks the developer's first project in Brevard County.

What the Development Will Include

Construction is officially underway on Ekos at Rockledge Park, a new affordable housing community that will bring 100 income-restricted apartments to Rockledge, near Florida's Space Coast. Located at 1505 Cogswell Street, the $38.2 million project is designed to provide quality housing for working families while helping address the region's growing housing shortage. The five-story development will feature 70 one-bedroom, 25 two-bedroom, and five three-bedroom apartments, with floor plans ranging from 593 to 1,026 square feet. Each residence will include stainless steel appliances, granite countertops, modern cabinetry, luxury vinyl flooring, private balconies, and washer and dryer hookups.

What Affordable Housing Options Residents Will Have

Ekos at Rockledge Park is designed to serve households earning between 30% and 70% of the Area Median Income, creating affordable housing opportunities for a wide range of working families. The community will reserve 15% of its apartments for extremely low-income households earning up to 30% of AMI, while 40% of the units will be available for households earning up to 60% of AMI. The remaining 45% will serve residents earning up to 70% of AMI. Highlighting the project's impact, W. Patrick McDowell, Chairman and CEO of McDowell Housing Partners, said:

"Ekos at Rockledge Park marks a milestone in local workforce housing, offering 100 modern apartments with rents significantly below market rate. This community is designed to empower working families, allowing them to live where they work and truly transform their lives."

He added that the development is "more than just a residential development" and represents "a lasting investment in Brevard County's future and its workforce."

What Amenities and Sustainable Features Are Planned

Residents will have access to amenities commonly found in market-rate communities, including a clubhouse with on-site management offices, a fitness center, a business and media center with computer stations, a multipurpose clubroom, package lockers, community laundry facilities, and an outdoor swimming pool with barbecue grills and seating areas. The development is also being designed to achieve National Green Building Standards certification. Apartments will feature Energy Star-rated appliances, LED lighting, impact-resistant windows, and low-flow plumbing fixtures to improve energy efficiency and help reduce monthly utility costs.

What This Means for Florida's Space Coast

The project adds much-needed affordable housing near one of Florida's fastest-growing employment corridors. Located close to U.S. Highway 1 and Interstate 95, the community offers convenient access to major employers throughout the aerospace, healthcare, technology, and defense sectors, including businesses supporting Kennedy Space Center and Port Canaveral. Financing includes tax-exempt bonds, $10 million in Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) funds, and 4% Low-Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC) issued by the Florida Housing Finance Corporation. Once completed in early 2028, Ekos at Rockledge Park will expand affordable housing opportunities while supporting the continued growth of Brevard County's workforce.