Communities of opportunity [2009]

I HE QEUUQlA DEPARTMENT PF
COMMUNITY AFFAIRS (DCA) has served as an advocate for our state's communities since its inception i n 1977. Three decades later, DCA's programs and staff continue to provide critical support
- for community development and quality
of life initiatives throughout the state urban and rural, large and small.
DCA Quick Facts
AGENCY OVERVIEW: DCA was created in 1977 to serve as an advocate for local governments. In 1996, the Georgia Yeusing Finance Authority (GHFA) was merged into DCA.
LEADERSHIP: Mike Beatty has served as DCA's Commissioner since his appointment by Governor Sonny Perdue in May of 2003,
DCA's Board members are appointed by the Governor, with one representative from each of the state's 13 congressional a~strictsand five At-Large members. DCA's board meetings are open to the public and held a minimum of eight times per year.
TEAM DCA: DCA is organized into eight divisions, as follows:,
Administrative Community Development & Finance Executive Housing Finance Local Government Assistance Planning & Environmental Management Rental Assistance Rural Development

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Department of Community Affairs

Communities of

Opportunity

A Community Development Initiative of the Georgia
Rural Development Council
Georgia Department of
Community Affairs
60 Executive Park South, NE Atlanta, GA 30329
(404)679-4940or (800)359-4663 (404)679-4915or (800)736-1155(TDD)
www.dca.state.ga.us
Pa-rlng with communities to help create a climate of
success for G e o ~ i a 9
families and businesses.
Mike Beatty, Commissioner

DCA at a Glance
Helping Build Communities: DCA administers various community development. downtown development and volunteerism programs statewide. The agency also provides financial packaging (e.g. Community Development Block Grants and Downtown Development Revolving Loan Fund) and technical assistance to governments and businesses.
Enabling Economic Development: DCA leverages a variety of financing) tools t o enable local and regional economic development. While the job tax credit program remains the most popular, communities may access many other grant and loan funds t o aid economic development efforts.
Promoting Housing Options: As Georgia's primary housing agency, DCA manages a wide range of housing-related programs, including financing
ifor housing and services t o the homeless, rental housins vouchers (more commonly known as Section 8) for low-income citizens and families, financing and tax credits for development of affordable housing and special financina . programs for first-time homeowners.
Fostering Sustainable Development: DCA encourages Georgia's cities, counties and regional entities to adopt quality - growth & planning and building construction best practices. DCA provides technical advice to communities regarding water stewardship, solid waste and environmental management matters. DCA also administers local government surveys and conducts ongoing research on a wide range of local government issues.

Communities of Opportunity
Together let's build a great quality of life for Georgia's
families and businesses
Georgia continues to grow. Communities must be preparedfor opportunity State and Federal resources should be focused and leveraged for communities that are committed to excellence in community development. Private, Public, Non-profit and Faith-based organizations must unite to move their communities forward. Positive results can be achieved when working towards measurable goals.
Program Overview
spired by the Georgia Rural Development ouncil and with the support of an Executive lrder signed by Governor Sonny Perdue, the ommunities of Opportunity (Co-op) Initiative a collaborative, locally-driven community evelopment strategy focused on enhancing the conomic vitality of rural Georgia communities.
2003 study conducted by UGA's Carl Vinso~ ~stituteof Government concluded that our ation's rural communities face unique economic nd community development challenges. Past :atewide efforts of technical and financial assistnce have produced mixed results. While some ommunities have prospered, others have not
o-Op is administered by the Georgia epartment of Community of Affairs (DCA), in artnership with a number of public and private artners.
articipation in Co-Op is voluntary. Communities iat decide to participatewill undertake an ssessment. Then local follow-up discussions will tke place to determine focus areas. Incentives )r local involvement will also be offered.
Contact Patrice Wllllams of the G e m l a
Department of CommuntyAffalm at 970-968-6584 or by rmall, pwllllam@dca.state.ge.us Or vlslt our webslte at www.dca.state.ga.us

Program Benefits
Two years of customized technical assistanee t o achieve key initiatives; hands-on assistance from DCA as well as other state agencies.
Access to a Communities of Opportunity program grant of up t o $5,000.
Assistance in identifying other financial resources for implementing the identified initiatives.
Statewide recognition as a community committed to improving the lives and livelihood of residentsthrough effective development of a Community Improvement Strategy and efficient implementation of activities included in the strategy.
Access to GEFA state loans at reduced rates. Participating communities will be eligible to receivea reduction in the GEFA state loan interest rate up t o 50 basis points.
Additional point under the Qualified Allocation Plan for rental housing developments that are most indicative of the community's affordable housing goals.
Preference in selection under the Single Family Development Program and the Rural Rental Housing Development Fund.
Down payment assistance funds for Homeownershipfor local government employees in the Communities of Opportunity program.
Annual competition for Community Development Block Grants for non-entitlement program participants.
Access to reduced loan rates. Within designated Communities of Opportunity, recipient and sub-recipient loans approved for the Appalachian Regional Commission RLF Program, the Downtown Development Revolving Loan Fund Program, the Employment Incentive Program, and the Redevelopment Fund Program will receive a reduction in the loan's interest rate of 100 basis points.
Preference in the allocation of development funding for new homeless facilities included in the community housing strategy.