Five communities graduate from Georgia Initiative for Community Housing program

Dalton, Greensboro, Lithonia, Pembroke and Roswell complete 3-year program
which helps communities address housing needs

​(ATLANTA – 10/14/15)  – Local leaders from the cities of Dalton, Greensboro, Lithonia, Pembroke and Roswell were recognized for their communities’ completion of the Georgia Initiative for Community Housing (GICH) program at a retreat and awards presentation held Sept. 22-24 in Tifton. Ten additional Georgia communities are set to complete the program by 2017.
 
The 2015 GICH awards were presented by Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA) Deputy Commissioner for Housing Carmen Chubb, University of Georgia (UGA) Office of the Vice President for Public Service and Outreach Associate Vice President Steve Dempsey, Georgia Municipal Association (GMA) Executive Deputy Director Bill Thornton, Georgia Power Company Community and Economic Development Senior Urban Advisor Steve Foster, and UGA Archway Partnership Operations Coordinator Sue Chapman.
 
Launched in 2004, GICH helps communities improve their quality of life and economic vitality through the development of housing and revitalization strategies. GICH offers communities a three-year program of collaboration and technical assistance. During a community’s participation, team members work to create and launch a locally-based plan to meet local housing needs. GICH grew out of Georgia’s experience with the National League of Cities’ Affordable Housing Program. 
 
DCA, along with GMA and UGA’s Housing and Demographics Research Center (HDRC), serve as GICH’s primary partners. The program is funded by Georgia Power and the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development through a Rural Community Development Initiative grant. The Georgia Electric Membership Corporation serves as GICH’s implementation partner.



Ten more Georgia communities pick GICH’s expertise to address local housing needs
 
Other communities throughout Georgia have also been quick to recognize the GICH’s value. The cities of Albany, Douglasville, Perry, Porterdale and Rincon were accepted into the program in 2013 and are scheduled to complete the program in 2016.


The communities of Cedartown, Liberty County, Madison, Pine Mountain and Trion were added to the program class of 2014 and are set to satisfy the requirements of the program in 2017.


GICH accepts applications from prospective program participants each year in early September.  For additional information about GICH, contact Program Director Karen Tinsley at 706-542-4949 or klt@uga.edu or visit http://www.fcs.uga.edu/hace/hdrc/gich/index.html.