DisneylandForward: In the heart of Southern California, where rent prices have steadily climbed and eviction notices strike fear into everyday families, a lifeline has just arrived. But whether it will be fully used remains uncertain.
This Thursday, the Anaheim City Council will meet to decide how to spend the first $15 million from Disney’s pledge to fight housing insecurity—a contribution tied to the company’s DisneylandForward expansion plan. With families struggling to stay in their homes and new developments rising around them, could this be the first real step toward change?
Or will bureaucracy stall what some say is Anaheim’s best shot at addressing its housing crisis?
A Promise From Disney, a Test for Anaheim in the Form of DisneylandForward
As part of the DisneylandForward development agreement approved last year, Disney committed $30 million for affordable housing efforts in Anaheim—with half to be delivered in 2024 and the remaining $15 million to come five years later. Now, the initial $15 million is on the table, supplemented by a $1 million federal grant, and city officials have drafted a plan that aims to serve multiple layers of the housing issue: from new home construction to emergency rent relief.
But the stakes go beyond numbers. This plan signals how Anaheim—and Disney—might redefine corporate and civic partnerships going forward. The bulk of the funding—$9.5 million—is slated for Anaheim’s “Build More Homes Initiative,” aimed at constructing between 250 and 300 new affordable units. For a city that has long faced a gap between available housing and growing demand, this portion of the proposal is seen as the most foundational.
Officials believe this funding could finally launch or accelerate critical housing projects already in development or planning.
Opening Doors to First-Time Buyers
Another $5.5 million would be directed toward a loan assistance program designed to help lower- and middle-income families achieve homeownership. This initiative includes a 30-year “silent second mortgage” of up to $50,000, carrying a 3% interest rate—but no payments are required unless the homeowner sells, refinances, or pays off the original mortgage. Applicants must have a household income at or below 150% of the area’s median income to qualify.
City leaders say this effort could be especially impactful for young families and first-time buyers squeezed out by sky-high down payments. Housing insecurity doesn’t just come from being priced out—it can happen overnight due to job loss or emergency expenses. That’s why the plan also sets aside $1 million for eviction prevention, targeting residents earning under 50% of the median income.
This would provide one-time grants—up to $5,000 or two months’ rent—to help families avoid homelessness. It’s not a permanent fix, but it could prevent short-term crises from becoming long-term hardship.
What Comes Next—and What’s at Stake
While Anaheim’s Housing and Community Development Commission has already given its unanimous support to the proposal, the final say rests with the City Council, which will review and vote on the plan at 5 p.m. Thursday, May 29, at 200 S. Anaheim Blvd.
If approved, the plan would mark a significant moment not just for Anaheim’s housing landscape, but for how corporate funds tied to development are used to meet community needs.
This housing commitment is just one piece of the broader DisneylandForward vision, which includes:
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$10 million for sewer upgrades along Katella Avenue
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$8 million in park improvements throughout the city
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An estimated $1.9 to $2.5 billion in new investments at Disneyland Resort over the next decade
Projects currently in development include expansions to Avengers Campus—with new attractions like Infinity Defense and Stark Flight Lab—and a highly anticipated Avatar-themed land.
DisneylandForward: A New Era of Corporate Responsibility?
Beyond the headline-grabbing park expansions, Disney’s move to fund housing is part of a broader strategy. It mirrors a similar commitment made in Florida, where the company is backing an affordable housing project in Central Florida’s Orange County.
In a time when corporations are increasingly being called on to play a larger role in addressing social issues, Disney’s investments suggest that large-scale development deals can—and perhaps should—include social impact funding.
If Anaheim moves forward with this plan, it could set a powerful precedent for future development agreements throughout California and beyond. But if the plan stalls or fails to deliver, it may call into question how sincere and effective these contributions really are.
As families wait, one question looms: Will this money lead to meaningful change—or is it just another well-intentioned promise? The answer may come Thursday night.
