NOTICE OF POTENTIAL CHANGES TO ELIGIBLE AREA MAPS FOR
USDA RURAL DEVELOPMENT HOUSING PROGRAMS
USDA Rural Development is conducting a review of all areas under its jurisdiction to identify areas that no longer qualify as rural for housing programs. The last rural area reviews were performed in 2017-2018 using 2015 American Community Survey (ACS) data. Rural area designations are reviewed every five years. This review will utilize the 2020 United States decennial census data.
Based on the 2020 US census data and rural area guidance located in Handbook HB-1-3550, Chapter 5, the rural eligibility designation is under review for the following areas in Georgia:
New ineligible communities under review (expansion of current ineligible areas):
1. South Fulton, GA- Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Alpharetta, GA Metro Area
2. Rome, GA Metro Area
3. Peachtree City, GA-Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Alpharetta, GA Metro Area
4. Warner Robins, GA Metro Area
5. Savannah, GA Metro Area
6. Athens-Clarke County, GA Metro Area
7. Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC Metro Area
8. Macon-Bibb County, GA Metro Area
9. Columbus, GA-AL Metro Area
10. Valdosta, GA Metro Area
Currently eligible communities under review (rural in character, contiguous with or expanding from currently ineligible areas):
1. Dalton-Whitfield and Murray Counties
2. Braselton-Barrow, Gwinnett, Hall and Jackson Counties
3. Hinesville-Liberty County
4. McDonough-Henry County
5. Acworth-Cobb and Bartow Counties
6. Canton-Cherokee County
7. Dallas-Paulding County
8. Conyers-Rockdale County
9. Jekyll Island-Glynn County
The public shall have 90 days from the date of this public notice to submit comments regarding the potential loss of eligibility for Rural Development housing programs. Comments should be sent to Devon.Collins@usda.gov. For details, or questions about specific changes, please contact the Georgia Rural Development Housing Program staff at (706) 552-2549