Sanford grapples with rising housing costs, shifting demographics

SANFORD, Fla. — Some Sanford residents say changing demographics and increases in housing costs are affecting the city’s landscape.

Like most places across the country, the city of Sanford is seeing rising housing and rental costs. Some are up as much as 10% to 15%.

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Mayor Art Woodruff said newer apartment complexes coming in are on the higher end.

The city is looking at a couple of affordable housing projects, but nowhere near the number they once had with the Castle Brewer Court Apartments, which were torn down nearly a decade ago.

READ: Sanford working on redistricting plans, Black community members push for fair representation

Woodruff said Sanford hasn’t had any subsidized apartments for at least a dozen years.

There is also a shift in demographics, which is one of the reasons business owner Mario Hicks is advocating for additional commission districts: to make sure minorities in areas like historic Goldsboro have representation on the city commission. Currently, District 2 is below 50% of African American voters.

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While the African American population has remained relatively steady in Sanford, the Hispanic population has seen a huge increase and the white population of the city is on the decline.

The city could make a decision on its redistricting plans at its next workshop.

Video: Sanford working on redistricting plans, Black community members push for fair representation The city has grown in population, and some believe there should be another district added that is primarily African American. (Jeff Levkulich, WFTV.com)

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