Guide to Services FY2025

Guide to Services Fiscal Year 2025

Helping to build strong, vibrant communities.

Helping to build strong, vibrant communities.

Contents A Letter from the Commissioner DCA Overview Getting Started DCA Regions Our Programs Community Assistance Financing Tools Affordable Housing Housing Choice Voucher Partnerships Leadership Team

2 3 4 5 6 7 13 16 23 25 28

A Letter from the Commissioner Dear Reader, The Georgia Department of Community Affairs is devoted to lending a helping hand to communities on their journey to growth and prosperity. We help you 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.

Our state continues to experience economic growth. With ten years of being the best state to do business under our belt, we have seen the benefits in cities and towns in each corner of Georgia. You must keep pace with the demands for workforce housing, infrastructure, and other critical needs in your communities. I’m proud to say that this agency is uniquely equipped to help you meet those needs.

Our team looks forward to providing you an exceptional level of service and assistance. 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 Georgia communities.

Best Regards,

Christopher Nunn, Commissioner 2 • Guide to Services FY2025

Helping to build strong, vibrant communities.

DCA Overview The Georgia Department of Community Affairs is composed of:

7

divisions operating across the state in 12 regions.

70+

programs and resources

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

DCA

Community Development Division Community Finance Division Historic Preservation Division Homeownership Division Housing Assistance Divison Housing Choice Voucher Division Housing Finance and Development Division

1

Central Office 60 Executive Park South, NE Atlanta, GA 30329 2

HCV Southern Regional Office 500 Alice Street Waycross, GA 31501

2

Local Government & Community Assistance Mapping, Research, & Surveys

Planning Programs

Historic Preservation

12

Homeless & Special Needs Housing Support Rental & Mortgage Assistance Construction Codes & Housing Development

regional representatives

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

locations

Guide to Services FY2025 • 3

Helping to build strong, vibrant communities.

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 a better quality of life.

This guide is organized by the following categories to help users easily find what they are seeking: Community Assistance, Financing Tools, Affordable Housing, Housing Choice Voucher, and Partnerships.

The DCA Regional Representatives are a vital entry point to help navigate the agency’s diverse offering of federal and state resources. These experienced team members are available to discuss a community’s needs and options. They can 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 best address its particular needs.

Regional Representatives can connect communities to complementary assistance through their network of regional and statewide partners. They also coordinate and facilitate many of the agency’s special initiatives.

DCA Regional Representatives n Region 1

Patrick Vickers

(404) 695-2093

region1@dca.ga.gov

n Region 2

Kathy Papa

(770) 362-7078

region2@dca.ga.gov

n Region 3

Tracie Sanchez

(470) 851-8827

region3@dca.ga.gov

n Region 4

Corinne Thornton

(706) 340-6461

region4@dca.ga.gov

n Region 5

Beth Eavenson

(404) 387-6977

region5@dca.ga.gov

n Region 6

Tonya Mole

(404) 852-6876

region6@dca.ga.gov

n Region 7

Tina Hutcheson

(478) 278-9434

region7@dca.ga.gov

n Region 8

Rebecca White

(404) 782-2394

region8@dca.ga.gov

n Region 9

Lynn Ashcraft

(478) 484-0321

region9@dca.ga.gov

n Region 10

Heather Sharpe

(470) 654-3920

region10@dca.ga.gov

n Region 11

Kelly Lane

(404) 227-3619

region11@dca.ga.gov

n Region 12

Jennifer Fordham

(912) 531-1746

region12@dca.ga.gov

4 • Guide to Services FY2025

Helping to build strong, vibrant communities.

DCA Regions

Guide to Services FY2025 • 5

Helping to build strong, vibrant communities.

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

Funding n

Incentives n

Disbursing state and/or federal funds to build or create something the community deems important such as sidewalks, roads, public buildings, water and sewer facilities, housing options, or economic development projects.

Providing ways to encourage the private sector to invest and fill a need that is important to a community, often resulting in a public-private partnership.

Partnerships n

Technical Assistance n

Fostering partnerships with private for-profit or nonprofit entities, quasi-governmental agencies, or other government entities to achieve a goal.

Employing experts in different fields, including finance, planning, research, citizen engagement, and governance, who can help local governments develop appropriate strategies that help meet local goals.

6 • Guide to Services FY2025

Community Assistance

Community Development Appalachian Regional Commission

Georgia Initiative for Community Housing

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.

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 is to help communities create and implement a locally based plan to meet their housing needs. In 2024, the GICH Senior Year program launched, where two GICH Alumni communities do hands-on work with DCA and other housing experts to develop innovative housing projects. The program is a partnership of DCA, the Georgia Municipal Association, and the University of Georgia.

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 tax-exempt, private activity bonds. Georgia is authorized to use up to $110 per capita each year for projects, including traditional industrial development bonds for manufacturing, mortgage revenue bonds for single-family mortgages, bonds for multi-family housing development, and exempt facility bonds.

Funding n

Incentives n

Partnerships n

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

Technical Assistance n

Guide to Services FY2025 • 7

Community Assistance

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

Equity Fund

EDGE 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 provides flexible funding through the Equity Fund for eligible activities. These activities can include, but are not limited to, land acquisition, development of essential infrastructure, or construction financing that result in workforce housing.

8 • Guide to Services FY2025

Funding n

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.

Incentives n

Partnerships n

Technical Assistance n

Community Assistance

Historic Preservation

Regional Economic Business Assistance This state-funded incentive program, known as REBA, 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 such as, 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.

Southeast Crescent Regional Commission The Southeast Crescent Regional Commission (SCRC) is a federal-state partnership authorized in the 2008 Farm Bill to promote and encourage economic development in areas of Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, and all of Florida. SCRC invests in projects that support basic infrastructure, business development, healthcare, natural resources, and workforce development.

SCRC’s mission is to help create jobs, build communities, and improve the lives of those who reside in the 428 counties of the seven-state region, of which Georgia has 122 eligible counties.

Funding n

Incentives n

Partnerships n

African American Programs The African 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, 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 subject matter experts through training, technical assistance, and grants.

Technical Assistance n

Guide to Services FY2025 • 9

Community Assistance

Environmental Review and Compliance

Historic Resources Survey

The State Historic Preservation Office 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.

The State Historic Preservation Office supports the statewide Historic Resources Survey process, that identifies and gathers 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.

Grants

National Register of Historic Places

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.

The National 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 built and archeological resources.

10 • Guide to Services FY2025

Incentives n

Funding n

Partnerships n

Technical Assistance n

Community Assistance

Coordinated Planning

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 incentive programs. Eligible buildings must be listed, or in the process of being listed, on the National Register. The Federal Tax Credit Program is available to income-producing properties. The State Preferential Property Tax Assessment and State Income Tax Credit programs are available to both primary residential properties and incomeproducing properties that undergo substantial rehabilitation work that meets DCA’s Standards for Rehabilitation.

Funding n

Incentives n

Partnerships n

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 DCA’s planning team partners with local governments, regional commissions, and private sector consultants across the state to work collaboratively 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 county and city plans meet local needs while also complying with state requirements. The program’s goal is for planning documents to provide a solid decision making framework that assists in meeting the day-to-day challenges of governing while incrementally progressing toward long-term goals.

Technical Assistance n

Guide to Services FY2025 • 11

Community Assistance PlanFirst PlanFirst recognizes 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 funds on an annual basis, bonus points on several DCA programs, and hands-on assistance from DCA staff to help implement community work and program activities.

Government & Authority Reporting 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 consistently used by communities throughout the state. Others, such as the Contact Database, centralize information for public use.

Construction Codes 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.

12 • Guide to Services FY2025

Funding n

Incentives n

Partnerships n

Technical Assistance n

Financing Tools

Infrastructure Community Development Block Grants This federally funded block grant program, known as CDBG, focuses on benefiting lowto moderate-income people by providing resources for livable neighborhoods, economic empowerment, and housing. DCA administers the State’s Non-Entitlement CDBG program, which primarily assists rural cities and counties, in the following ways: CDBG Annual Competition

Employment Incentive Program

Federal funding assistance awarded to qualifying rural cities and counties to support infrastructure, neighborhood revitalization, and economic development projects. Eligible applicants selected for funding have the greatest need, as evidenced by poverty and per capita income, and whose applications most adequately address the needs of low- and moderate-income persons and have high impact.

Disaster Recovery Program Federal funding to address extensive damage caused by federally declared natural disasters. CDBG-Disaster Relief funding is currently available to 37 eligible counties.

Funding n

Incentives n

Partnerships n

This financing program may be used in conjunction with traditional private financing for economic development projects resulting in job creation or maintenance of jobs to low-to-moderate income persons.

Immediate Threat & Danger Program Provides financial assistance to address urgent situations, resulting from state or federally declared disasters. The event or situation must have developed or become critical within 18 months of application.

Redevelopment Fund Provides flexible financial assistance including grants and loans, to local governments to assist with challenging economic and community development projects that also address blight.

Technical Assistance n

Guide to Services FY2025 • 13

Financing Tools

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. The designation allows any business of any nature to receive the credit, as long as all other program requirements are met.

Rural Zones This program 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 Program.

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

14 • Guide to Services FY2025

Funding n

Incentives n

Partnerships n

Technical Assistance n

Financing Tools

Small Business 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 two years of small business lending experience and two venture capital programs. SSBCI was reauthorized by the American Rescue Plan, allowing DCA to further its outreach to businesses owned and controlled by socially & economically disadvantaged individuals, and to “very small” businesses with fewer 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.

Downtown Development Revolving Loan Fund This program 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.

Funding n

Incentives n

Partnerships n

Technical Assistance n

Guide to Services FY2025 • 15

Affordable Housing

Homeownership Georgia Dream The Georgia Dream mortgage loan program makes homeownership possible for eligible lowand moderate-income households 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 must apply through a participating lender. The program has three categories: Traditional Georgia Dream

Georgia Dream Peach Plus

Designed for first-time homebuyers with a maximum purchase price of $400,000 depending upon Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) or county. » Standard: The down payment assistance is based on the lesser of 5% of the purchase price or $10,000. » Protectors, Educators & Nurses: The down payment assistance is based on the lesser of 6% of the purchase price or $12,500. » For households who have a residing family member with a disability, the down payment assistance is based on the lesser of 6% of the purchase price or $12,500.

16 • Guide to Services FY2025

Funding n

Designed for moderate-income homebuyers and has a higher purchase price compared to the Traditional Georgia Dream program. The maximum purchase price is $500,000 depending upon MSA or county. » Standard: The down payment assistance is based on the lesser of 3.5% of the purchase price or $10,000. » Protectors, Educators & Nurses: The down payment assistance is based on the lesser of 4% of the purchase price or $12,500. » For households who have a residing family member with a disability, the down payment assistance is based on the lesser of 4% of the purchase price or $12,500.

Incentives n

Partnerships n

Technical Assistance n

Affordable Housing

Georgia Dream Peach Select Veterans Assistance Designed specifically for U.S. military veterans purchasing property in Georgia. It provides more favorable terms, such as lower interest rates.

Additional details for the program can be obtained by visiting www.gadream.com or via email at housing@dca.ga.gov.

Georgia Mortgage Assistance Program Georgia was awarded more than $300 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 pastdue mortgages and other housing-related expenses to help homeowners regain financial stability.

Funding n

Incentives n

Partnerships n

Technical Assistance n

Guide to Services FY2025 • 17

Affordable Housing

Housing Development Community HOME Investment Program

HOME American Rescue Plan

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 U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) HOME Investment Partnership Program. Funding is prioritized for communities with strong housing redevelopment plans.

Georgia received $87 million in federal funds through the HOME American Rescue Plan (HOME-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 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.

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Funding n

Incentives n

Partnerships n

Technical Assistance n

Affordable Housing

Homelessness Assistance Emergency Solutions Grant Program

Georgia Balance of State Continuum of Care

The Emergency Solutions Grants (ESG) Program offers funding statewide for street outreach, emergency sheltering, rapid re-housing, homelessness prevention, Homeless Management Information System data collection, and related services to organizations serving individuals and families experiencing or at risk of homelessness. These grants, funded from allocations by HUD, serve as the initial support in a continuum of assistance to equip individuals and families experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness to move towards self-sufficiency.

Funding n

Incentives n

Partnerships n

The Georgia Balance of State Continuum of Care (BoS CoC) Program is designed to promote community-wide commitment to the goal of ending homelessness and helping move homeless individuals and families into permanent housing. The BoS CoC distributes funds to organizations that provide services to homeless people and promotes access to mainstream resources and other programs, while optimizing selfsufficiency among homeless individuals and families. The BoS CoC has an expansive coverage area of 152 counties and each community is encouraged to tailor its programs to the strengths and challenges of assisting homeless individuals.

Technical Assistance n

Guide to Services FY2025 • 19

Affordable Housing

GHFA Permanent Supportive Housing Georgia Housing and Finance Authority Permanent Supportive Housing Program, formerly known as Shelter Plus Care, provides permanent housing in connection with supportive services to persons experiencing homelessness with a disability.

Funded by HUD, the program provides rental assistance connected to a range of supportive services funded by other sources. The program is designed to serve a hard-to-reach population and is built on the theory that housing and services should be connected to ensure stability for this vulnerable population.

20 • Guide to Services FY2025

Funding n

Georgia Stable Housing Accountability Program The Georgia Stable Housing Accountability Program, launching in January 2025, is a new, state-funded housing program that awards funding to qualified sponsors in the nonprofit, for-profit, and government sectors to provide voluntary, immediate, and stable housing and supportive services to individuals who are homeless, at risk of homelessness, or who lack the resources and support networks required to obtain permanent housing. The program’s goal is to assist participants with obtaining longterm affordable housing within the state.

Participants are limited to a maximum of 18 months of assistance, and they are required to comply with all program requirements and to meet specified accountability measures while receiving stable housing assistance.

Incentives n

Partnerships n

Technical Assistance n

Affordable Housing

Special Needs Housing Home Access Program The Home Access Program is designed to promote independence and allow persons with disabilities to reside in their homes with appropriate home modifications and to avoid unnecessary entry into nursing homes. The program is a collaboration with the Brain and Spinal Injury Trust Fund Commission, the Statewide Independent Living Council (SILC), and their affiliated Centers for Independent Living. It makes grant awards that improve the accessibility of an owner-occupied home where a disabled individual resides.

Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS

Homeless Management Information System To comply with HUD’s requirements, DCA manages a statewide Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) designed to track client, service, and housing data for individuals and families who are homeless or at risk of homelessness within the Balance of State Continuum of Care. HMIS is a valuable resource because of its capacity to integrate and eliminate duplicative data across projects in a community. Aggregate HMIS data can be used to understand the size, characteristics, and needs of the homeless population at multiple levels: project, system, local, state, and national.

DCA facilitates the collection of this data from other continuums of care throughout the state.

Funding n

Incentives n

Partnerships n

Housing Opportunities for People with AIDS (HOPWA) is a 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 longterm comprehensive housing. These areas coordinate the use of HOPWA funds with their respective consolidated plans which establishes a unified vision for community development actions.

Technical Assistance n

Guide to Services FY2025 • 21

Affordable Housing HUD 811 Project Rental Assistance Program

Reentry Partnership Housing Program

HUD 811 Project Rental Assistance is a federally funded program that provides project-based rental assistance to people with disabilities who may also be struggling to successfully integrate into their community. This program is a supportive housing program that provides subsidized rental units at designated apartment developments. Individuals are referred to this program by their communitybased service agency. These approved service agencies provide long-term, continuous support, as needed, for program participants.

The Reentry Partnership Housing (RPH) Program helps provide housing to qualified individuals without valid residence plans and who are under parole or probation supervision of the Georgia Department of Community Supervision. These individuals may be recently released from prison or active participants in an accountability court program (felony drug, mental health, veterans, or family). Certified RPH providers supply 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.

22 • Guide to Services FY2025

Incentives n

Funding n

Partnerships n

Technical Assistance n

Housing Choice Voucher

The Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Division offers various rental assistance programs that help individuals and families secure safe, decent, and affordable housing in the private market.

Each program caters to specific needs, ensuring targeted support for eligible participants.

Tenant Based Voucher Program

Mainstream Vouchers

Helps low-income individuals and families rent housing units in the private market. Subsidy payments are made directly to landlords on behalf of participants, with amounts primarily based on the participant's income and local rent standards.

Project Based Voucher (PBV) Program Provides rental assistance to low-income families at designated properties. Unlike tenant-based vouchers, these subsidies are attached to the units, ensuring ongoing affordable housing at specific locations.

Veterans Administration Supportive Housing (VASH) Program

Incentives n

Partnerships n

Emergency Housing Voucher (EHV) Program Provides urgent rental assistance to individuals and families who are homeless, at risk of homelessness, or escaping situations of violence. The program ensures rapid subsidies based on income and local payment standards.

Stability Voucher (SV) Program

Specifically aids homeless veterans by offering rental assistance for private market housing, with subsidy amounts determined by the veteran’s income and local rental payment standards.

Funding n

Targets non-elderly persons with disabilities, facilitating their access to affordable, accessible housing in the private market. Subsidies are tailored based on income and the cost of comparable local housing.

Aims to prevent homelessness by helping at-risk populations secure and maintain housing. The subsidies are calculated based on the applicant’s income and payment standards.

Technical Assistance n

Guide to Services FY2025 • 23

Housing Choice Voucher The State of Georgia Settlement Agreement Housing Program Supports integrating individuals with disabilities into community settings from institutional care, with subsidies adjusted according to income and payment standards.

The Money Follows the Person Demonstration Program Assists individuals transitioning from institutional settings to independent living in the community. The program provides financial assistance for housing tailored to the individual's income and payment standards.

Housing Choice Voucher Homeownership Program Enables eligible voucher holders to use their benefits towards purchasing a home, promoting long-term stability and community development by transitioning from renters to homeowners.

Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) Program Equips participants with tools and support necessary to achieve economic independence through financial literacy training, employment counseling, and access to educational resources, aiming to decrease dependency on public assistance.

Fair Housing 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’s objective is “to eliminate housing discrimination within the state of Georgia.”

It 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.

24 • Guide to Services FY2025

Funding n

Incentives n

Partnerships n

Technical Assistance n

Partnerships

Georgia Academy for Economic Development The Georgia Academy for Economic Development brings together elected officials, business and community leaders, and educators to understand the impact of leadership, community investment, and economic development within Georgia. Since 1993, the Academy has been a strong partnership of state agencies, utility providers, educational institutions, and economic development professionals to carry out the program around the state. The curriculum covers the essentials of economic development and dives into topics such as workforce development, housing, collaboration, and economic development incentives. More information about the Georgia Academy for Economic Development can be found at www.GeorgiaAcademy.org.

Georgia Geospatial Information Office Georgia’s Geospatial Information Office is committed to ensuring access to high-quality, up-to-date, decision-ready geospatial information within the state. The office orchestrates collaboration among public and private entities, leads the development of Georgia’s Basemap, and provides top-tier geospatial services. Through these efforts, it empowers communities and state agencies to make more well-informed decisions to drive positive outcomes in areas like community and economic development, urban and transportation planning, public safety and 911, emergency preparedness, and environmental conservation. It brings geospatial intelligence to bear for a more resilient and prosperous Georgia.

Funding n

Incentives n

Partnerships n

Technical Assistance n

Guide to Services FY2025 • 25

Partnerships Georgia Rental Assistance Program – Eviction Prevention Initiative (GRA EPI) The Georgia Rental Assistance Program’s Eviction Prevention Initiative (GRA EPI), launched in July 2023, and is a partnership between DCA, the Georgia Legal Services Program, and the Atlanta Legal Aid Society.

The launch marked the beginning of a pilot program focused on preventing evictions for low-income renters. Its primary goal is to mitigate the enduring consequences of eviction records, which can hinder future rental opportunities and exacerbate homelessness. This two-year initiative committed $55 million to support eviction prevention services statewide and to provide legal, rental, and utility assistance, as well as other supportive services to those in need. The insights gained from this pilot will serve as the foundation to develop a long-term eviction prevention program.

Keep Georgia Beautiful Foundation The Keep 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.

Georgia Serves Georgia Serves, formally known as the Georgia Commission for Service and Volunteerism, is a catalyst for addressing critical needs in Georgia by working with AmeriCorps and community partners. It creates and promotes opportunities for Georgians to support organizations that use volunteer service to solve community problems; and ensures the investment in volunteer service is protected and managed well. Georgia Serves is the administrator for AmeriCorps state funding in Georgia and awards monetary grants and support to qualifying organizations.

26 • Guide to Services FY2025

Funding n

Incentives n

Partnerships n

Technical Assistance n

Partnerships

Martin Luther King, Jr. Advisory Council

State Housing Trust Fund for the Homeless

The Martin 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 yearround to schedule activities and events that promote the teachings of Dr. King.

The Council is often supported by Georgia Serves 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.

The State Housing Trust Fund for the Homeless Commission (SHTF Commission) is a nine-member commission created by the State Housing Trust Fund for the Homeless Act. It provides funding and support to organizations throughout the state that provide housing and support services for individuals and families experiencing homelessness. DCA contracts with the SHTF Commission annually to provide administrative, professional, and technical support to aid the work of the commission. The SHTF Commission provides funding and resources to nonprofit and faith-based organizations, community homeless provider networks, and other public programs that promote individual self-sufficiency and embrace the goal of ending homelessness in Georgia.

Funding n

Incentives n

Partnerships n

Technical Assistance n

Guide to Services FY2025 • 27

Leadership Team Christopher Nunn Kyle Hood

Commissioner Christopher.Nunn@dca.ga.gov Chief Operating Officer Kyle.Hood@dca.ga.gov

William G. Dews

Chief Financial Officer William.Dews@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

Philip Gilman

Deputy Commissioner, Housing Assistance and Development Philip.Gilman@dca.ga.gov

Christy Barnes

General Counsel Christy.Barnes@dca.ga.gov

Corinne Thornton

Ryan K. Evans

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

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.

Equal Housing Opportunity