County Announces Workforce Housing Initiative

Escambia County held a press conference relating to workforce housing on Monday, June 15 and announced an initiative that will develop vacant county-owned lots into four new, affordable, single-family homes.

The initial four properties are located within the City of Pensacola’s Westside Community Redevelopment Area:

• 1021 N. F St. 
• 1100 W. Gonzalez St. 
• 1021 N. G St. 
• 1015 N. G St.  

Speakers included District 3 Commissioner Lumon May, City of Pensacola Mayor Gover Robinson, City Councilwoman Jewel Cannada-Wynn and Escambia County administrator Janice Gilley.

"This is a very exciting day for District 3, and a very exciting day for the Attucks Court, Morris Court areas," District 3 Commissioner Lumon May said. "I am excited because as a young man, I walked down these streets with my grandmother for 30 years, who was a custodian at the Fricker Center, so my travels were between Morris Court and Attucks Court, coming down here daily. This has been a long time coming, with a lot of partners."

The county will be issuing a request for proposals for development of the properties under the HOME Investment Partnerships Act Program in partnership with a Community Housing Development Organization. Homebuyers will be eligible for HOME down payment and closing cost assistance of up to $40,000, depending on need. Buyers must make the property their principal residence.

"This has been a vision," Commissioner Lumon May said. "This is just a small way that Escambia County is doing their part to make this the best place to live, work and play."

Buyer Qualifications for the HOME Program:

• Have sufficient income and credit-worthiness to qualify for primary financing from a participating lender.
• Must attend an 8 hour HUD certified homebuyer class offered by Community Enterprise Investments, Inc. prior to closing.
• Have a total gross family income that does not exceed 80% of area median income for Escambia County adjusted for family size: 

2019 INCOME GUIDELINES (HOME Effective Date: June 28, 2019)

# Persons in Family                       80% of Area Median Income

• 1                                                       $38,750
• 2                                                       $44,300
• 3                                                       $49,850
• 4                                                       $55,350
• 5                                                       $59,800
• 6                                                       $64,250
• 7                                                       $68,650
• 8                                                       $73,100 

For information for potential developers or homebuyers, please contact Meredith Reeves at 850-595-4968 or [email protected].  


District 3 Commissioner Lumon May speaks at a Workforce Housing press conference Monday, June 15

Watch a video of the press conference or view additional high-res photos here.