Rural_Area_Definition_for_Rural_Housing_Programs_Eligibility_updated_August_26 _2013.docx

United States Department of Agriculture Rural Development Massachusetts•Connecticut•Rhode Island

For more than 20 years now; USDA-Rural Development has been able to provide loans & in some cases grants to assist loan applicants to purchase modest single family homes in rural communities. The definition that the agency uses for “rural” has allowed the agency to provide financing in cities & towns of less than 25,000 people; as long as the community was considered “rural in nature” by the agency.

The size of a town is based upon the most recent U.S. Census data. The agency has made the decision to utilize the 2010 Census data beginning with Fiscal Year 2013 (10/01/2012) Presently, our regulations allow an “exception” which allows our Rural Housing programs to participate in communities up to 25,000 people.

With the adoption of the 2010 Census, this “exception” will be lost & the regulations will then limit our participation to towns of less than 10,000 people; & for towns between 10,000 & 20,000 that are not part of a Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA). MSA’s have been broadened over the past 10 years to include most rural areas within Massachusetts, Connecticut and Rhode Island. This update reflects recently released changes from OMB affecting some MSA areas. In the case of Massachusetts; the Town of Greenfield will retain its eligibility.

Based upon what we know today; if the “exception” is not extended the following towns in Massachusetts will no longer be eligible for loans and grants for single family and multiple family housing purposes:

COUNTY:

Barnstable Berkshire Bristol Essex Franklin Middlesex

Acton

Bourne

Easton

Ashland

Dennis

Mansfield

Groton

Falmouth

Norton

Holliston

Harwich

Raynham

Hopkinton

Mashpee

Rehoboth

Hudson

Sandwich

Swansea

Maynard

Yarmouth

Taunton

Pepperell

Westport

Sudbury

Tyngsborough

Westford

Hampden Hampshire Norfolk Plymouth Worcester

Wilbraham

Southbridge

Spencer

Uxbridge

451 West Street • Suite 2 • Amherst, MA 01002 Phone: (413) 253-4300 • Fax: (413) 253-4347 • TDD: (413) 253-4590 • Web: http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/ma

Committed to the future of rural communities.

“USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender.”

To file a complaint of discrimination write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (800)795-3272 (voice) or (202) 720-6382 (TDD).

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