Athens City Council reviews HOME funding recommendations for affordable housing projects

The Athens-Clarke County Mayor and Commission Work Session on March 11, 2025, focused on critical discussions regarding funding for affordable housing through the HOME Investment Partnerships Program. The session began with an overview of the HOME funding process, which is designed to support the development and preservation of affordable housing in the community.

City officials highlighted the importance of the consolidated plan, a five-year needs assessment required by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). This plan aims to identify housing needs and allocate resources effectively. The current goals for the consolidated plan include enhancing affordable housing, public services, economic development, and public facilities.

During the meeting, the Housing and Community Development (HCD) department presented its recommendations for the allocation of approximately $805,370 in available HOME funds for fiscal year 2025. This amount includes both remaining funds from fiscal year 2024 and new allocations for fiscal year 2025. However, it was noted that no applications were received for the Community Housing Development Organization (CHDO) set-aside funds, which total $151,000.

The HCD outlined the application review process, which uses a scoring system to evaluate proposals. A minimum score of 75 points is required for consideration. The department received six funding requests totaling $2.6 million but recommended funding for only three projects amounting to $876,791. Notably, Athens Area Habitat for Humanity was ranked first for its proposal to construct four single-family homes, with a recommended funding of $480,000. The Athens Housing Authority's request for two additional units at Savannah Heights was also supported, with a recommendation of $325,000.

The meeting concluded with a commitment to continue fostering affordable housing initiatives in Athens-Clarke County, emphasizing the need for community engagement and data-driven decision-making in future funding allocations.