Bridgeway Center Breaks Ground on Housing Project
Local nonprofit paves path to stability for low-income individuals with new Willow Way Village coming to Fort Walton Beach
Bridgeway Center Inc. (BCI) is proud to announce the groundbreaking ceremony for Willow Way Village, a transformative new permanent supportive housing development located at 333 Lewis Street in Fort Walton Beach. The event will take place on Friday, September 26, 2025 at 10 a.m. and will mark a major milestone in the region’s efforts to address homelessness and housing stability for residents with disabling conditions.
Developed in partnership with Archway Partners, Willow Way Village will provide 72 high-quality, affordable housing units for extremely low-income and low-income individuals and families. The units are reserved for residents earning between 22 percent and 60 percent of the area median income (AMI), with at least 50 percent of the units designated for individuals with disabilities, including people experiencing homelessness and homeless veterans.
“This project represents a bold step forward in providing compassionate, dignified housing for the Fort Walton community’s most vulnerable residents,” says Chris Savino, vice president of Archway Partners. “We are honored to partner with Bridgeway on this effort and look forward to welcoming residents to a place they can truly call home.”
“Access to stable, supportive housing is critical for individuals with special needs and for our veterans who have given so much to our nation,” says Bonnie Barlow, president and CEO of Bridgeway Center Inc. “Willow Way Village is more than housing—it is a lifeline that will restore dignity, create stability, and build hope for those we serve. Bridgeway is proud to be part of a project that directly addresses some of the most urgent needs in our community.”
Willow Way Village will feature two three-story, garden-style buildings on a 2.62-acre site, offering amenities such as a community center, clubhouse, fitness center, and library and tech lab. All units—regardless of income tier—will be constructed to the same high-quality standards, including energy-efficient appliances, granite countertops, luxury vinyl tile and a green building certification from the National Green Building Standard.
Cadence Bank provided construction financing for the project, while RBC Capital Markets served as the syndicator for the low-income housing tax credits. Additional funding includes SAIL, SAIL ELI, and National Housing Trust Fund (NHTF) through the Florida Housing Finance Corporation (FHFC). Property management will be provided by Royal American Management, and construction is being led by Florida-based general contractor Parker & Eleazer.
The Groundbreaking will be attended by project partners, local and state officials, and members of the community. The public and media are encouraged to attend.
Event Details
What: Groundbreaking Ceremony–Willow Way Village
When: Friday, September 26, 2025 at 10 a.m.
Where: 333 Lewis Street, Fort Walton Beach, Florida 32547
For more information about the event or Willow Way Village, please contact Cindy Kelly at (850) 376-5216 or ckelly@bridgeway.org.
About Bridgeway Center Inc.
For 60 years, Bridgeway Center Inc. (BCI) has proudly served as the safety net for the mentally ill in Okaloosa County and surrounding communities. As a nonprofit behavioral health organization, BCI provides a wide range of services including mental health counseling, substance use treatment, primary care, community outreach, and supportive housing. Bridgeway’s mission is to promote recovery, wellness, and independence through compassionate and comprehensive care—ensuring that no one is left without hope or help.
About Archway Partners
Archway Partners is a Florida-based affordable and workforce housing developer dedicated to transforming communities through equitable, high-quality development. Archway specializes in public-private partnerships and complex financing structures including LIHTC, SAIL, HOME, and CDBG. The firm is led by a team with more than 30 years of combined experience and has a proven track record working with local governments, housing authorities and non-profit partners to deliver sustainable, community-focused housing across Florida.
