PENSACOLA, Fla. – Pensacola Habitat for Humanity successfully appealed the USDA’s decision to reclassify much of Pace, FL, and Milton, FL, as non-rural, ensuring homebuyers in those areas remain eligible for USDA loans and other housing programs.

On March 8, 2023, USDA Rural Development opened a 90-day window for the public to offer feedback on the areas it was proposing to no longer qualify as rural for housing programs. Pensacola Habitat for Humanity sent its response advocating for no change to the affected areas in Pace and Milton, with Santa Rosa County, Florida Power & Light, University Lending Group and Representative Michelle Salzman among some of the community stakeholders who endorsed and supported this letter. Upon the conclusion of the window, the USDA reversed its decision and will maintain rural designations for Pace and Milton.

“This wise decision of the USDA to listen to the voices of our community provides us and many others the ability to continue serving individuals and workforce families who are often ineligible for conventional home mortgages,” said Sam Young, Pensacola Habitat President and CEO. “We’ve made great strides in working with Santa Rosa County to continue offering homebuyers the opportunity they deserve to own a safe and stable home.”

Pensacola Habitat for Humanity closed its first several USDA homes in Fiscal Year 2023, and 16 percent of lots in its current land inventory are USDA-eligible. By continuing to offer USDA loans, Pensacola Habitat for Humanity can save money on the costs of building homes while also offering mortgages with lower payments to homebuyers.

This decision allows Pensacola Habitat for Humanity to continue to meet the needs of underserved rural areas in Escambia and Santa Rosa Counties. To learn more about Pensacola Habitat for Humanity and its services, visit pensacolahabitat.org. 

###