Much-needed senior affordable housing project in Sanford might not happen

SANFORD, Fla. — There is a growing push in Sanford to provide affordable housing for seniors, but one senior housing project on West Ninth Street in the heart of the Goldsboro district might not happen.

“The seniors is a growing population. So it's important that we have access to good housing for them as well,” said Sanford communications officer Lisa Holder said.

The property used to have two abandoned buildings on it that the developer said attracted the homeless and drug dealers.

“The property was originally considered a blighted property,” said Ron Semans of Equity Development said.

After tearing down the buildings, the company put up a sign to see if seniors would want to live there, and that's when they ran into a problem.

“We were hoping to have 100-plus phone calls. To date, we've only received 25 phone calls,” said Semans.

The lower demand isn't the only problem.

The developer has to keep rent cheap. So Semans is concerned he may not be able to afford to build the units.

“We can't afford to spend more than we will take in and cover our finance cost,” said Semans.

The developer is asking the county to approve a grant for $197,000.

Even with low demand and funding concerns, the city of Sanford supports the project.

“We need housing for people to be able to have access to that. A roof over your head is so important,” said Holder.

Cox Media Group