FY2024 Guide to Services

Guide to Services

A Letter from the Commissioner

Dear Reader, Georgia

Department of Community Affairs is devoted to lending a helping hand to communities on their journey to growth and prosperity, helping lay the groundwork for economic opportunities and local development efforts across the state. Our programs reflect diverse efforts to provide an array of community-focused services at the state and local level.

The past couple of years were challenging years for all of us but it highlighted how vital our programs are for many of Georgia’s citizens. We are excited about the possibilities for the future.

Our team looks forward to providing you with the same level of exceptional support, assistance, and advocacy. As you review this fiscal year’s Guide to Services and explore the wide variety of programs our agency has to offer, it is my sincere desire that you connect with us as we all strive to build strong, vibrant communities across our state.

Best Regards,

Christopher Nunn, Commissioner

Helping to build strong, vibrant communities.

The Georgia Department of Community Affairs is composed of:

7 divisions operating across the state in 12 regions.

Community Development Division

Community Finance Division

Historic Preservation Division

Homeownership Division

Housing Assistance Divison

Housing Choice Voucher Division

Housing Finance and Development Division

Atlanta (Central) 60 Executive Park South, NE Atlanta, GA 30329

Waycross (HCV) 500 Alice Street

Waycross, GA 31501

2 locations

70+ are administered to help provide funding, incentives, technical support and partnerships.

Local Government & Community Assistance

Mapping, Research, & Surveys

Historic Preservation

programs and resources

Homeless & Special Needs Housing Support

Planning Programs

Rental & Mortgage Assistance

Construction Codes & Housing Development

12 are located throughout the state to help communities decide which programs best address their particular needs.

regional representatives

DCA

Getting Started

DCA offers a variety of financial resources and technical assistance to help communities realize visions of success and improve the lives of their citizens. These resources, when used effectively and in concert with each other, can drive major improvements in a community and lead to an improved quality of life.

This guide is organized by the following categories to help users easily find what they are seeking: Rental Assistance, Mortgage Assistance, Homeownership, Homeless and Special Needs Housing, Local Government and Community Funding, Local Government and Community Incentives, Construction Codes and Housing Development, Planning and Research, Historic Preservation, and Partnerships.

The DCA Regional Representatives are a vital entry point to help navigate the agency’s diverse offering of programs and resources. These experienced team members are available to discuss a community’s needs and options, then help access, organize and manage the various types of assistance offered by DCA. They are located in each of the state’s 12 service delivery regions and can help a community decide which tools are best to address its particular needs. Just as important, these team members maintain a network of regional and statewide partners that can provide additional assistance to complement what DCA offers and can bring those resources to communities. Finally, DCA Regional Representatives coordinate and facilitate many of the agency’s special initiatives.

DCA Regional Representatives

DCA Regions

Our Programs

The following pages outline, with some brief details, DCA’s breadth of program offerings which can be categorized as follows:

Funding n | Disbursing state and/ or federal funds to build or create something the community has deemed important such as sidewalks, roads, parks, public buildings, water and sewer facilities, housing choices, or economic development projects.

Incentives n | Providing ways to encourage the private sector to invest and fill a need that is important to a community, often resulting in a publicprivate partnership.

Rental Assistance

Partnerships n | Fostering partnerships with a private for-profit or non-profit entity, quasi-governmental agency, or another government entity to achieve a goal.

Technical Assistance n | Employing experts in many different fields, including financing, planning, research, citizen engagement and governance can help local governments develop appropriate strategies to help meet local goals.

The Housing Choice Voucher Program (formerly known as Section 8) is a tenant-based rental assistance program that helps low-income individuals and families rent safe, decent, and affordable housing units in the private rental market. DCA provides the subsidy payment directly to the landlord on behalf of the program participant. The amount of the subsidy is based primarily upon the participant’s income and the comparable rent or payment standards in the surrounding area.

Mortgage Assistance

Georgia Mortgage Assistance Program

Georgia was awarded $354 million through the American Rescue Plan to assist homeowners impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. This program provides up to $50,000 to assist with past-due mortgages and other housing-related expenses to help homeowners regain financial stability.

Housing Choice Voucher Program

Georgia Dream

The Georgia Dream program was created to make homeownership possible for eligible low- and moderate-income Georgians by providing affordable financing options, down payment assistance, and homebuyer education. DCA acts as the secondary market for lenders who want to provide an affordable mortgage product. Potential homebuyers apply with participating lenders for Georgia Dream loans.

Homeless and Special Needs Housing

Emergency Solutions Grant Program

The Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) provides funding throughout the state for outreach, shelter, rapid re-housing, homelessness prevention, and related services to organizations serving those either experiencing or who are in danger of becoming homeless. Grants are distributed by DCA, from funds appropriated by U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), to provide the first step in a continuum of assistance to equip individuals experiencing homelessness and propel them toward independent living.

GA Balance of State Continuum of Care

The Continuum of Care (CoC) Program is designed to promote communitywide commitment to the goal of ending homelessness and helping move homeless individuals and families into permanent housing. The CoC distributes funds to organizations that provide services to homeless people and promotes access to mainstream programs, while optimizing self-sufficiency among homeless individuals and families.

GHFA Permanent Supportive Housing

Georgia Housing and Finance Authority

Permanent Supportive Housing Program (PSH), formerly the Shelter Plus Care, provides permanent housing in connection with supportive services to homeless or disabled people. The program provides rental assistance funded by HUD accompanied by a range of supportive services funded by other sources. The program is designed to serve a hardto-reach population and built on the theory that housing and services should be connected to ensure stability for this population.

Home Access Program

Thisprogram is designed to promote independence and allow persons with disabilities to reside in their homes with the appropriate home modifications and to avoid unnecessary entry into nursing homes. The program allows grant awards of up to $10,000 to improve the accessibility of an owner-occupied home in which a disabled individual resides.

Homeless Management Information System

This is the information system designated by the Continuum of Care Program to comply with HUD’s data collection, management, and reporting standards. It is used to collect client-level data and data on the provision of housing and services to homeless individuals and families and people at risk of homelessness. HMIS is intended to provide a community with an unduplicated count of its homeless population.

Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS

Housing Opportunities for People with AIDS (HOPWA) is a federally funded HUD program that offers a variety of housing solutions and support services for low-income persons living with HIV/ AIDS. HOPWA is an ongoing initiative to grant states and localities resources and incentives to develop long-term comprehensive housing. These areas coordinate the use of HOPWA funds with their respective Consolidated Plans which establishes a unified vision for community development actions.

HUD 811 Project Rental Assistance Program

HUD 811 Project Rental Assistance is a federally funded program through HUD that provides long-term, project-based rental assistance to people with disabilities who may also be struggling to successfully integrate into their community. This program provides a set of subsidized rental units at designated apartment complexes. Support includes the provision of reminders to pay rent and other bills, helping arrange medical appointments, and other related services.

Reentry Partnership Housing Program

The Reentry Partnership Housing (RPH) Program helps provide housing to qualified individuals without valid residence plans and who are under the parole or probation supervision of the Georgia Department of Community Supervision. These individuals may be released from prison or are active participants in an accountability court (felony drug, mental health, veterans, or family). Certified RPH providers provide stable housing and food access to these individuals. The program’s goal is to provide short-term housing for up to 6 months to help stabilize an individual’s reentry process and enhance their ability to remain crime-free.

State Housing Trust Fund for the Homeless

The mission of the State Housing Trust Fund for the Homeless is to support organizations that provide housing and services for individuals and families striving to end their state of homelessness. These groups include: Non-Profits, Faith-Based Organizations, Community Homeless Provider Networks, and Public Programs.

Local Government and Community Funding

Appalachian Regional Commission

The Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) is a regional economic development agency that represents a partnership of federal, state, and local governments. Established by an act of Congress in 1965, ARC is composed of the governors of the 13 Appalachian states and a federal co-chair, who is appointed by the president. ARC provides financial investment and technical assistance to eligible applicants in support of community and economic development in Georgia’s 37-county Appalachian region.

Bond Allocation Program

Pursuant to state and federal law, DCA administers the “Georgia Allocation System” for local and state government issuing authorities seeking to issue private activity tax-exempt bonds. Georgia is authorized to use up to $110 per capita a year for projects ranging from the traditional industrial development bond for manufacturing concerns and mortgage revenue bonds for single family mortgages to bonds for multi-family housing development and exempt facility bonds.

Community Development Block Grants

Thisfederally funded block grant program focuses on benefiting low- to moderateincome people by providing resources for livable neighborhoods, economic empowerment, and decent housing. DCA administers the State CDBG program which primarily includes rural cities and counties. There are three CDBG programs.

Disaster Recovery Program

Federal funding to address extensive damage caused by federally declared natural disasters. The funding is available to 15 eligible counties.

Employment Incentive Program

This financing program may be used in conjunction with traditional private financing for economic development projects.

Redevelopment Fund

Provides flexible financial assistance including grants and loans to local governments to assist with challenging economic and community development projects while also addressing blight.

Downtown Development Revolving Loan Fund

Thisprogram assists cities, counties, and development authorities with efforts to revitalize and enhance downtown areas. It provides below market rate “gap” financing to fund capital projects in core historic downtown areas and adjacent historic neighborhoods where the funds will spur commercial redevelopment.

OneGeorgia Authority

OneGeorgia provides grants and loans typically for land acquisition and infrastructure development, machinery purchases, business relocation assistance, and other economic development capacitybuilding and job-creation projects.

Equity Fund

The Equity Fund assists rural communities in building the necessary infrastructure for economic development, including improvements to sewer and water lines, roads, and industrial parks. This can come in the form of grants or loans depending on the project type.

Rural Workforce Housing Initiative

The Rural Workforce Housing Initiative falls under the Equity Fund and provides flexible funding for eligible activities resulting in workforce housing. These activities can include, but are not limited to, land acquisition, construction finance for workforce housing, or development of essential infrastructure that specifically supports new housing.

EDGE Fund

The EDGE Fund assists eligible applicants whose sites are being considered for business relocation or expansion while competing with another state for a project’s location. Local development authorities are required to apply for EDGE funding, and the application must be accompanied by a letter of recommendation from a state agency, typically the Georgia Department of Economic Development.

Rural Innovation Fund

The Rural Innovation Fund financially assists the welfare, safety, and economic security of Georgians living in rural communities. Successful projects will promote the development or retention of employment opportunities.

Regional Economic Business Assistance

Thisstate-funded incentive program enhances Georgia’s competitiveness in attracting sizable economic development projects and acts as a vehicle for significant local, regional or statewide initiatives with short-to-long-term economic development benefits. Generally, REBA funds are targeted for projects in non-rural counties which may be used to finance a company’s fixed-asset needs i.e., infrastructure, real-estate acquisition, construction, or machinery and equipment. REBA’s goal is to help “close the deal” when companies are deciding between Georgia or another state for their location or expansion, ultimately incentivizing their decision to come to Georgia.

State Small Business Credit Initiative

The State Small Business Credit Initiative’s (SSBCI) purpose is to stimulate private financing for small business growth, and includes funding for three debt programs for lending institutions, banks, credit unions, and community development financial institutions, with at least 2 years of small business lending experience and two venture capital programs. SSBCI was reauthorized by the American Rescue Plan, allowing DCA to further our outreach to businesses owned and controlled by socially & economically disadvantaged individuals and to “very small” businesses with less than 10 employees. This new iteration of SSBCI will allow DCA to provide gap financing, provide loan guarantees, and grow venture capital available for small businesses and start-ups in Georgia.

Local Government and Community Incentives

Job Tax Credits

Provides a statewide job tax credit for any business or headquarters of a business engaged in manufacturing, warehousing and distribution, processing, telecommunications, tourism, or research and development. Retail businesses are excluded.

Military Zones

The military zone designation allows census tracts that are located adjacent to a military base and have a pervasive poverty rate of at least 15 percent to receive the highest benefit level allowed under the Job Tax Credit Program. It also provides for the credit to be available to any business of any nature, as long as all other program requirements are met.

Rural Zones

Thisprogram is part of the state’s Job Tax Credit Program and targets rural downtown areas that have been adversely impacted by local economic conditions. Rural Zones create and offer incentives to stimulate investment, job creation, and economic development. It also aids in retail opportunities, which are currently excluded from the state’s job tax credit.

State Opportunity Zones

Thisdesignation provides a state tax credit to target impoverished areas that are in decline, suffering from disinvestment, or are in need of redevelopment and revitalization.

2023

Construction Codes and Housing Development

Construction Codes and Industrialized Buildings

DCA facilitates and convenes the State Codes Advisory Council and other groups for specific topics related to building and community development, leads the adoption process of statewide standards, provides technical assistance to local communities by drafting model codes and resolutions, and offers workshops on code and building-related topics. Mandatory codes are applicable to all construction. Permissive codes are only applicable if a local government chooses to adopt and enforce one or more of these codes.

Community HOME Investment Program

Community HOME Investment Program (CHIP) grants funds to city and county governments, public housing authorities, and nonprofits to rehabilitate owneroccupied homes, and build or renovate affordable single-family homes for sale to eligible homebuyers. CHIP is funded by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) HOME Investment Partnership Program. Funding is prioritized for communities with solid housing redevelopment plans.

GA Initiative for Community Housing

The Georgia Initiative for Community Housing (GICH) offers communities a three-year program of collaboration and technical assistance related to housing and community development. The objective of the initiative is to help communities create and implement a locally based plan to meet their housing needs. The program is a partnership of DCA, the Georgia Municipal Association, and the University of Georgia.

HOME American Rescue Plan

Georgia received $87 million in federal funds through the HOME American Rescue Plan (ARP) to assist individuals or households who are homeless, at risk of homelessness, and other vulnerable populations, by providing housing, rental assistance, supportive services, and noncongregate shelter, to reduce homelessness and increase housing stability.

Housing Tax Credit Program

The Housing Tax Credit (HTC) is a federal tax credit created by President Ronald Reagan and Congress in the Tax Reform Act of 1986. It is designed to encourage private sector investments in new construction, acquisition, and rehabilitation of affordable rental housing for low-income households. Over the last three decades, the Housing Tax Credit has become the most successful affordable rental housing production program in history. Developments that receive federal housing tax credits also receive Georgia housing tax credits of the same amount, which results in more private sector investment for affordable housing development.

National Housing Trust Fund

The National Housing Trust Fund is a federal formula grant program intended to increase and preserve the supply of decent, safe, sanitary, and affordable housing. The state administered statute requires that at least 75 percent of the funds for rental housing benefit extremely low-income households whose incomes are below the federal poverty guidelines or are less than 30 percent of the area’s median income.

Planning and Research

Community Planning Institute

DCA’s Office of Planning, in partnership with the Georgia Planning Association, offers the Community Planning Institute to Georgia’s planning commissioners, elected officials, and local government staff. CPI provides information about planning for land use, growth, and development. Annual seminars are held for local planning commissioners, elected officials, staff, and other interested parties. Courses are one or two days and cover a variety of community development topics such as preparation, effective use, and implementation tools for comprehensive plans. Scholarships are available through the Denise Abboud Memorial Fund through the Georgia Planning Memorial Foundation.

Local Comprehensive Planning

Ourplanning team partners with local governments, regional commissions, and private -sector consultants across the state. We collaboratively work to ensure that Georgia’s communities are equipped with plans that articulate straightforward, achievable visions for their futures and outline the steps necessary to turn these into reality. DCA offers a variety of useful tools, resources, and educational opportunities to help counties’ and cities’ plans meet local needs while also complying with state requirements. It is our goal for planning documents to provide a solid decisionmaking framework that assists in meeting the day-to-day challenges of governing while incrementally progressing toward long-term goals.

PlanFirst

PlanFirstrecognizes and rewards communities that clearly demonstrate an established pattern of successfully implementing their Local Comprehensive Plan. Any size community is encouraged to apply, provided it has a history of public involvement with plan development active engagement in plan implementation, and proven progress with achieving the community’s stated vision or goals. Incentives for local governments with this designation include the ability to apply for CDBG on an annual basis, bonus points on several DCA programs, and handson assistance from DCA staff to help implement community work and program activities.

PlanFirst County PlanFirst City

Research and Surveys

DCA has various responsibilities, including providing the state with ample actionable data to make operations more meaningful and efficient for communities. The Research & Surveys group collects, maintains, and publishes data on Georgia’s local governments and authorities. These types of programs are generally divided into areas of focus concerning the tracking of funds and the reporting of operations. Tools such as the Uniform Chart of Accounts standardize accounting practices to be used by communities throughout the state consistently. Others, such as the Contact Database, centralize information for public use.

Historic Preservation

African American Programs

TheAfrican American Programs Coordinator and the Georgia African American Historic Preservation Network’s Steering Committee plan and implement historic preservation projects that foster economic development and community revitalization.

Archaeology and Tribal Relations

Archaeologists’ coordinate research and preservation efforts with federally recognized Native American tribes that formerly resided in Georgia under the auspices of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 as amended.

Certified Local Governments

The Certified Local Government (CLG) program is a partnership between The National Park Service, the State Historic Preservation Office (housed within DCA), and local jurisdictions that integrates historic preservation into local planning decisions. Enhancing the local government’s role in preservation, the CLG program connects local communities to subjectmatter experts through training, technical assistance, and grants.

Environmental Review and Compliance

The State Historic Preservation Office, housed within DCA, consults with federal agencies that are conducting, funding, permitting, licensing, or overseeing a project in Georgia, as required by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966. Consulting with the public and other interested parties is also required of the federal agency. The process is an important tool for citizens to lend their voice in protecting and maintaining historic properties in their communities.

Grants

State and federal grants are available to assist communities with historic preservation initiatives. Grant programs support local historic preservation planning, research, predevelopment, and development projects. Grant requirements and availability vary by program.

Historic Resources Survey

The State Historic Preservation Office supports the historic resources survey statewide. The historic resources survey is the process of identifying and gathering data on a community’s historic resources. The resulting statewide inventory of older and historic resources enables community and land use planning that accounts for these resources and their preservation. The statewide inventory is made available to the public via Georgia’s Natural, Archaeological, and Historic Resources Geographic Information System website.

National Register of Historic Places

TheNational Register of Historic Places (NRHP) is the nation’s official list of historic buildings, sites, structures, objects, and districts considered worthy of preservation. Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the NRHP is part of the national framework to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and document America’s historic and archeological resources.

Outreach

Historic Preservation Outreach promotes, educates, and elevates the programs of the State Historic Preservation Office and Georgia history through in-person and online events, newsletters, and publications. The Outreach team oversees the annual Georgia Statewide Preservation Conference and Centennial Farms Awards.

Preservation Planning

The Preservation Planning program provides an opportunity for citizens’ voices to be heard regarding the preservation of the state’s historic assets. Additionally, the program ensures that those assets are included in planning activities throughout the state.

Rehabilitation Tax Incentives

Financial assistance is available through three historic preservation tax incentives programs. The Federal Tax Incentive Program is available to income-producing properties. The Georgia Preferential Property Tax Assessment and State Income Tax Credit programs are available to both primary residential properties and income-producing properties that undergo rehabilitation work that meets DCA’s Standards for Rehabilitation.

Partnerships

Georgia Academy for Economic Development

TheGeorgia Academy for Economic Development provides economic development training for local leaders. Since 1993, it is a partnership of state agencies, utility providers, educational institutions, and economic development professionals. It’s curriculum covers the essentials of economic development, and dives into topics such as workforce development, housing, incentives, and collaboration. More information can be found at GeorgiaAcademy.org.

Georgia Serves

Georgia Serves promotes humanitarian efforts in Georgia through AmeriCorps national service grants, community volunteer recognition, and support of local volunteer organizations and efforts. Georgia Serves engages Georgians in service to meet critical needs in education, economic opportunity, public safety, health, disaster services, environmental stewardship, and veterans and military families.

Georgia Main Street

The Georgia Main Street Program began in 1980 as one of the original pilot state coordinating programs of the National Main Street Initiative launched by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Georgia Main Streets represent some of the strongest central business districts in the state and in the Southeast. Main Street is a signature program for community development and revitalization in Georgia’s historic downtowns.

Coordinates and partners with local governments and state and federal agencies to ensure the quality and availability of geospatial data to support community and economic development, transportation planning, emergency preparedness, and environmental protection.

Geospatial Information Office

Keep Georgia Beautiful Foundation

TheKeep Georgia Beautiful Foundation (KGBF) educates and inspires Georgians to improve and beautify their community environments. As a state affiliate of Keep America Beautiful, it leads 70-plus city and county programs, yielding the necessary resources to engage an average of 100,000 volunteers in sustainability initiatives annually. KGBF strives to increase its impact even further by engaging additional groups and individuals in efforts to end litter, reduce waste, promote recycling, and beautify communities. These include the Great American Cleanup, BRACE Community Improvement Grants, and Bring One for the Chipper, its annual Christmas tree recycling event.

Fair Housing

TheMartin Luther King, Jr. Advisory Council was created by the Georgia General Assembly and signed into law by Nathan Deal in 2011. It consists of nine Georgians serving four-year terms who work year-round to schedule activities and events that promote the teachings of Dr. King. The Council is often supported by the Georgia Commission for Service and Volunteerism in this endeavor, developing a number of partnerships throughout the state via forums and initiatives. The Council also hosts an annual celebration of Dr. King’s life and legacy at the State Capitol. It features an address from the Governor as well as various speakers from either the King Family or those involved in modern day civil rights.

Fair housing relates to a household’s ability to seek and choose housing free from unlawful discrimination. Federal, state, and local Fair Housing laws preserve the interests and rights of Georgians as they buy, sell, and rent homes.

If you believe you have been the victim of unlawful housing discrimination, you may file complaints with the Georgia Commission on Equal Opportunity, https://gceo. georgia.gov/. The Commission is tasked with enforcing the Georgia Fair Housing Law and provides residents with the ability to make a complaint if they believe they have experienced unlawful housing discrimination. Its objective is “to eliminate housing discrimination within the state of Georgia.”

Martin Luther King, Jr. Advisory Council

Leadership Team

Christopher Nunn Commissioner

Christopher.Nunn@dca.ga.gov

Kyle Hood Chief Operating Officer Kyle.Hood@dca.ga.gov

William Dews Chief Financial Officer

William.Dews@dca.ga.gov

Christy Barnes General Counsel

Christy.Barnes@dca.ga.gov

Philip Gilman Deputy Commissioner, Housing Assistance and Development

Philip.Gilman@dca.ga.gov

Rusty Haygood Deputy Commissioner, Community Development & Finance Rusty.Haygood@dca.ga.gov

Wesley Brooks Deputy Commissioner, Homeownership Wesley.Brooks@dca.ga.gov

Corinne Thornton Director, Regional Services Corinne.Thornton@dca.ga.gov

Ryan Evans Director, External Affairs Ryan.Evans@dca.ga.gov

60 Executive Park South NE Atlanta, GA 30329 (404) 679-4840 dca.ga.gov

The Georgia Department of Community Affairs is committed to providing all persons with equal access to its services, programs, activities, education, and employment regardless of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status, disability or age. For reasonable accommodation or any other issues, please contact us at fairhousing@dca.ga.gov.