Thank you for visiting Family of Friends!

Since 1989, Family of Friends has operated as a residential Assisted Living Facility (ALF), located at 2340 Celery Avenue in Sanford, FL. During our 35 years of service, we have been privileged to care for and work with hundreds of families and residents, as well as many beloved staff members, clinicians, and community partners. Together with our Board of Directors, the Family of Friends has achieved its mission to provide non-institutional housing, and compassionate, effective care for those living with serious mental illness (SMI).

Since our founding, community norms, treatment options, and housing opportunities for those impacted by SMI have expanded in Central Florida. In recognition of changing times, as well as our desire to contribute to future housing opportunities for those impacted by SMI, effective September 2024, the Family of Friends ALF will cease its operations, and will donate our Sanford property to Dave’s House, a well-established and highly regarded Central Florida-based provider of affordable, independent housing for adults living stable with serious mental illness.

DAVE’S HOUSE AT CELERY LANE

  • We are deeply proud that this donation will allow for the continuation of our Family of Friends mission. As announced earlier this year, Dave’s House is in the process of creating “Dave’s House at Celery Lane,” a compact, “mini neighborhood” that will feature 13 newly constructed modern, beautifully designed duplex-style homes, with space for up to 39 residents on the Family of Friends 4.87 acres of property.

  • Each duplex will consist of one 1 bedroom/1 bathroom and one 2 bedroom/2 bath unit.

  • The design includes a club house with offices for a property manager, maintenance personnel, floating offices for services, as well as community recreation space, sidewalks, and a landscaped retention pond and gazebo. An outdoor recreation area will be located near the club house.

  • Other superior design elements of this low-density neighborhood include comprehensive design principles that make Dave’s House at Celery Lane a desirable affordable housing community.

DESIGN ELEMENTS

  • The buildings will be frame construction, surrounded by typical Florida landscaping and are buffered on each side by two retention ditches, and otherwise surrounded by single family housing.

  • Parallel parking will be on each side of the interior residential road.

  • Demographic targeting for Dave’s House at Celery Lane include 100% of the units falling at or below 50% of the area median income (AMI), with lower income targeting at 22% and 30% of the area AMI, with all units serving persons with disabilities, with a preference for those impacted by severe mental illness.

PROPERTY

  • This property is in unincorporated Seminole County and will be annexed into the City of Sanford to allow for the provision of utilities (the surrounding neighborhoods are in the City of Sanford.)

  • The proposed development is in close proximity to services that will be beneficial to the residents including a free downtown trolley running off Celery Lane and Pine Avenue, approximately 1.3 miles from the property, supermarkets including Save A Lot and Winn Dixie, schools, medical facilities, houses of worship, and pharmacies.

AMENITIES

  • Unit amenities will include walk-in closets in all master bedrooms, washer/dryer hookups, a large kitchen pantry, Energy Star Appliances, low flow water fixtures in bathrooms, at least 15 SEER HVAC, programmable thermostats, window treatments, cable TV hookups in living rooms and master bedrooms, and Energy Star rated ceiling fans in all bedrooms and living areas.

NEXT STEPS

To all who have been a part of our Family of Friends journey, we thank you for your support, and we urge your continued support of Dave’s House at Celery Lane community. Click here to learn more.

For Family Of Friends Medical Records, please click here to contact us.