By: Jasmine Ortiz, Social Worker & Resident of Middleburg
Opening: Every week, I sit across from hard-working parents, veterans, and retirees who can no longer afford to live in the community they’ve helped build. The problem isn’t just rising rent—it’s the disappearing supply of homes for us.
Opinion Highlights:
Personal story of a single mom forced to move out of county after a rent hike
Median rent increase data over the past 5 years in Clay County
Disconnect between new developments and actual local income levels
Call for county leaders to:
Incentivize workforce housing
Fast-track zoning for affordable projects
Require mixed-income units in new developments
Voices from teachers, EMTs, and seniors living on fixed incomes
“If Clay County becomes a place only the wealthy can afford, we’ve lost more than housing—we’ve lost community.”