Georgia Group Completes Housing Needs Program

Atlanta, GA - Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA) Assistant Commissioner Carmen Chubb will present awards to leaders from Cartersville, Fort Valley, Sylvester, Thomasville, Valdosta and Waycross recognizing each community’s completion of the Georgia Initiative for Community (GICH) program. These communities were GICH’s inaugural program participants.

“Safe, clean, secure and affordable housing are essential for any community. If a community lacks housing resources, its growth potential is limited,” said DCA Commissioner Mike Beatty.

“That’s why programs like GICH are essential to the economic health of our local communities and state. GICH does not offer a quick fix. Instead, the multi-year program places value on understanding and developing plans that respond to each community’s specific housing needs,” added Commissioner Beatty.

Launched in November 2004, the GICH, offers communities a three-year program of collaboration and technical assistance. During a community’s participation, it works to create and launch a locally-based plan to meet its housing needs. GICH grew out of Georgia’s experience with the National League of Cities’ Affordable Housing Program.

DCA, along with the Georgia Municipal Association and UGA’s Housing & Demographics Center, serve as GICH’s primary partners. It is funded by the Georgia Power Company, Wachovia Foundation and the USDA Rural Development. Georgia Electric Membership Corporation serves as GICH’s implementation partner.

“With that, we extend congratulations to the communities and citizens of Cartersville, Fort Valley, Sylvester, Thomasville, Valdosta and Waycross on their successful completion of the program. Their commitment to the enhanced, GICH-developed housing strategy can only serve to make their communities stronger,” continued Beatty.

Other communities throughout Georgia have also been quick to recognize the GICH’s value. The communities of Camden County, Dalton/ Whitfield County, Hall County, Moultrie and Waynesboro were accepted into the program in 2006. These communities are scheduled to complete the program in 2008. The cities of Colquitt, Metter, Milledgeville, Newnan and Tifton were accepted into the program in 2007. These cities are scheduled to complete the program in 2009.