During his State of the State address to kick off the 2023 Legislative session, Gov. Brian Kemp recommended reallocating $35.7 million to establish the Rural Workforce Housing Initiative Fund to help address a shortage of quality, affordable workforce housing in different regions of the state. Late last week, the Governor announced the first five recipients of the funding – which he says will allow local development and housing authorities to prepare land for housing developments to support upcoming economic development projects and ensure the state has access to quality workforce housing.
This new program is a component of the OneGeorgia Authority and will provide flexible funding for developing housing and related infrastructure in rural parts of the state. These grants total $8.37 million in infrastructure development that will ultimately support over 500 units of housing in both single- and multi-family developments in five counties. The recipients include Albany, Colquitt County, Columbus, Douglas-Coffee County and Stephens County.
“On the back of three straight record-breaking years for economic development, we are taking action to ensure hardworking Georgians are able to live in the same communities where they work,” said Kemp. “These grants are the first step in meeting the needs of communities experiencing incredible growth as we continue to see new opportunities come to all corners of the state. I want to thank the members of the General Assembly who supported this initiative so that we can continue that upward trajectory.”
The Georgia General Assembly approved the funding in the Amended Fiscal Year 2023 budget which was signed into law in March 2023. The grant program is being run through the Georgia Department of Community Affairs.
“In an effort to ensure Georgia’s growing workforce has quality and affordable housing options, the OneGeorgia Authority is pleased to support these local communities in attaining their housing goals,” said Department of Community Affairs Commissioner Christopher Nunn. “We look forward to continuing to help communities that are pursuing deliberate workforce housing strategies.”
In addition to meeting OneGeorgia Authority requirements, applicants leveraged other funding sources to demonstrate community commitment to increasing access to affordable housing for workers. The OneGeorgia funds must be expended within the timeframe specified in the grant/loan award documentation, which is generally two years from the date of the award.
Recipients and Projects:
● The City of Albany will receive an infrastructure grant for $923,513 to improve water, sewer, drainage, and roads to facilitate the creation of Gillionville Woods Subdivision with 29 single-family homes on six acres of land within the city limits. The City of Albany is contributing ten percent of the total project costs, and the developer is contributing fifteen percent of the infrastructure costs.
● The City of Colquitt will receive an infrastructure grant for $2.4 million for water and sewer on 23 acres of land in the Legacy of Colquitt Subdivision, which will bring 49 single-family homes to the area. The enhanced infrastructure will also support a nearby 44-unit multi-family housing development. The expanded water and sewer capacity will also allow for additional development nearby and will support the area’s hospital.
● Columbus Consolidated Government will receive an infrastructure grant for $2.3 million for water, sewer, drainage, and street improvements, enabling the completion of Phase 2 and future phases of the Elliott’s Walk development, which adds 24 new, single-family homes. Columbus previously invested $1.6 million in infrastructure, which will be extended by this investment.
● Douglas Coffee County Industrial Authority will receive an infrastructure grant for $2.3 million for water, sewer, drainage, and street improvements to facilitate the construction of 65 homes in a new subdivision near several large employers. The City of Douglas is contributing $698,558, and Douglas Coffee County Industrial Authority is contributing $56,470.
● Stephens County Development Authority will receive a $478,400 infrastructure grant to build a sanitary sewer lift station, which will allow the construction of 318 housing units in a new development near a regional industrial park that is set to expand. The City of Toccoa and Stephens County are contributing $125,000 each for this project.
