This week, Escambia County and Pensacola Habitat for Humanity hosted ribbon cuttings to celebrate 14 new affordable homes, as part of a partnership between Escambia County and Pensacola Habitat to provide more affordable housing to residents in need.
- “Affordable housing is a vital need for so many people in our community, and I am excited to have the opportunity to change the lives of these 14 individuals and families through homeownership,” District 3 Commissioner Lumon May said in a press release.
He continued, “On behalf of Escambia County, I’d like to congratulate each one of these homeowners as they begin this exciting next chapter of their lives, and I wish them many wonderful memories in their brand-new homes.”
At one ribbon-cutting, Pensacola Habitat President Sam Young said, “What you might not have seen when we just opened the door is she was crying, the kid was smiling, and all she wanted to do was give me a big hug. But that happens over and over again. These families have fought so hard to get to this point, so it could not be more rewarding than what you just saw here today.”
- Commissioner May added, “Today, we’re having people who are being able to come in and finance $150,000 house and live in a neighborhood where people are selling homes for $600,000. So, it’s a great day for Escambia County.”
CITY PULLS OUT
What made the ceremonies bittersweet was that the City of Pensacola ended its 32-year partnership with Escambia County on coordinated affordable housing efforts earlier this year. Mayor D.C. had complained about a lack of communication and transparency.
- City Housing Administrator Meredith Reeves complained that most of the homes purchased were outside of the city limits. She wanted more housing purchase help inside the city limits, where homes are often on average $40,000 higher. Reeves resigned last month.
In April, Mayor Reeves recommended that the City take control of its SHIP funds, approximately $420,000 annually. The Pensacola City Council voted 7-0 to repeal the ordinance that created the city-county partnership.