The Georgia Initiative for Community Housing

Abstract

Quality, affordable housing, and healthy neighborhoods are critical needs for residents and their communities. With proper planning, local leaders can foster an environment that creates opportunities for families and communities to prosper. This paper describes a program, the Georgia Initiative for Community Housing (Initiative or GICH), developed to address housing issues in rural communities and build community capital. GICH offers collaboration, training, and facilitation to Georgia’s cities and enables them to create a locally-based action plan for housing and community development. The Initiative represents a partnership of the Georgia Municipal Association, the Georgia Department of Community Affairs, and the University of Georgia Housing and Demographics Research Center, with supplemental funding from the private sector. The Initiative helps rural and small- to medium-sized communities access funding, organize a housing strategy, and address their housing needs through partnerships and coordinated action.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Karen Tinsley

Karen Tinsley is the GICH Program Coordinator at the Housing and Demographics Research Center, University of Georgia, Athens

Jane Massey

Jane Massey is principal of IVlassey Consulting, Peachtree City GA