Resource Guide DCA Resource Guide The Department of Community Affairs touches the lives of millions of Georgians, most often by working with local governments, authorities, other state agencies, and non-profit organizations. We are proud to be part of the team helping Governor Deal meet his number one objective of job creation across the state. We provide resources and technical assistance to help communities prepare for economic development opportunities, and to create workforce housing. Our team members have a long history of working with local leaders to develop solutions to community issues, and helping create opportunities for communities to succeed in growing jobs. We look forward to helping you with our full range of resources as you build the communities you envision, from assistance with planning, to providing technical expertise; to helping you access the resources of not just our agency, but other partners' resources as well. --Commissioner Gretchen Corbin Accessing our Resources and Assistance Funding: spending local, state and/or federal funds to build or create something the community has deemed important; sidewalks, roads, parks, public buildings, water and sewer facilities, housing choices or economic development projects. Incentives: providing ways to make it easier for the private sector to invest and fill a need that the community has deemed important, but cannot complete with available means. Opportunity Zones, tax credits, low-interest rate mortgages and first time homebuyer down-payment assistance programs are in this category. Partnerships: a jurisdiction can work with a private for-profit or non-profit entity, a quasi-governmental agency, or another government entity to achieve a goal. Partnering to build or rehabilitate low to moderate-income housing is one example of this type of partnership, as local governments work with developers to make the benefits of the Low Income Housing Tax Credit (an incentive) work for everyone. Technical Assistance: The Department employs experts in many different fields, including financing, planning, research, citizen engagement, and governance. Our staff can help local governments consider and select appropriate strategies to help them meet their local goals. Page | 1 DCA Resource Guide The Georgia Department of Community Affairs has served as an advocate for our state's communities since 1977. After more than three decades, DCA's programs and staff continue to provide critical support for community development, housing, and quality of life initiatives throughout the state, to communities large and small, urban and rural. These efforts help fulfill our mission: Partnering with communities to help create a climate of success for Georgia's families and businesses At the close of Fiscal Year 2013, DCA: Managed more than $280 million in federal and state funds annually for community, economic and housing development across Georgia. Maintained an AAA Bond rating for the Georgia Housing Finance Authority. GHFA is one of only 13 state housing agencies in the nation to achieve and maintain this recognition for sound management & investment practices. Served more than 15,000 Georgia families through the Housing Choice Voucher Programadding more than $98 million to Georgia's economy each year through direct payments to private landlords. Helped Georgia Main Street communities lead the nation in net new job growth, adding 2,669 net new jobs - 12% of the total job growth in the National Main Street network in 2012. Has sustained a 98% success rate in pledged jobs created with EDGE and REBA funds, and a 134% success rate in attaining private investment pledged. These programs have created 43,743 jobs and $6,849,304,355 in private investment, leveraging $183,569,172 in state investment in 214 job creation projects. Helped businesses create an estimated 11,294 jobs since 2007 through our housing finance programs. Certified 352 business locations in 93 designated Opportunity Zones. Businesses in these OZ created more than 3000 jobs, with more than $325 million in private investment. Assisted more than 3,700 individuals and families through the HomeSafe program, committing more than $77 million in U.S. Treasury funding to help keep unemployed/under-employed homeowners from foreclosure. Page | 2 DCA Resource Guide DCA offers a variety of resources, as well as the technical assistance to use those resources for their maximum benefit. Some are easier to use than others, but all of them can be effective when used appropriately and in concert with each other. Most major improvements that local governments undertake use multiple resources. This Resource Guide is organized by category to help you find what you're looking for most easily: Community Development, Community Finance, and Housing. Within each of these categories we've provided an overview of the four types of resources with which we can help, and the contact information for the staff that can provide specific assistance. Getting Started The DCA Regional Managers are available to discuss a community's needs and options, and are a great resource for accessing, organizing and managing the various types of technical and financial assistance available through DCA. These experienced team members can help you decide which tools are best to address your community's particular needs. They maintain a network of regional and statewide partners that can provide additional assistance to complement what we offer, and can bring those resources to you as well. Please call on them to help coordinate access to DCA and other state assistance. DCA Regional Managers Director Corinne Thornton NW Leamon Scott NE Kathy Papa East Tina Hutcheson West Jo Childers Central Lynn Ashcraft corinne.thornton@dca.ga.gov leamon.scott@dca.ga.gov kathy.papa@dca.ga.gov tina.hutcheson@dca.ga.gov jo.childers@dca.ga.gov lynn.ashcraft@dca.ga.gov 706-340-6461 706-621-2585 770-362-7078 478-278-9434 229-924-3707 478-484-0321 DCA Regional Managers also coordinate and facilitate many of the agency's special initiatives, including the Georgia Academy for Economic Development, the Georgia Initiative for Community Housing, Main StreetTM assistance and others. Page | 3 DCA Resource Guide Community Development: Building the community your citizens have envisioned John Turner Division Director Community Development 404-327-6846 john.turner@dca.ga.gov Funding: Financial resources for your community development projects PROGRAM DESCRIPTION CONTACT Appalachian Regional Commission Saralyn Stafford Provides matching grant funds to eligible applicants within the 37- Acting Program Manager, county ARC service area. Once a year funding cycle with four goal Appalachian Regional areas: Commission 1. Increase per capita income and job opportunities 404-679-3166 2. Increase capacity of the people of Appalachia Saralyn.stafford@dca.ga.gov 3. Develop and improve infrastructure www.arc.gov 4. Build the Appalachian Development Highway System Community Development Block Grant Competitive funding source, up to $500,000 per project. Must benefit predominantly low to moderate income persons. Once a year application/award cycle, available to non-entitlement communities. Immediate Threat and Danger Provides 50% matching funds for community development activities having a particular urgency when existing conditions pose a serious and immediate threat to the health or welfare of the community. Steed Robinson Director, Office of Community Development 404-679-3168 steed.robinson@dca.ga.gov www.dca.ga.gov/cdbg Pam Truitt Grants Specialist, Office of Community Development 404-679-5240 pam.truitt@dca.ga.gov www.dca.ga.gov/itd Incentives: Providing opportunities to help communities achieve their visions. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION CONTACT Revitalization Area Strategies (RAS) provide incentives to Mary Alice Applegate communities that implement comprehensive redevelopment Field Services Representative, activities for targeted areas in their city or county. The RAS area Office of Community Development must be within the URA and a Census Block Group with 20% or 404-290-3983 greater poverty. Opportunity Zones, Enterprise Zones, maryalice.applegate@dca.ga.gov Community Improvement Districts, and Tax Allocation Districts www.dca.ga.gov/RAS may be combined with RAS. Usually residential areas, but many communities include downtown districts. Page | 4 DCA Resource Guide Partnerships: Enabling governments, non-profit organizations and businesses to work together to achieve specific community development goals PROGRAM DESCRIPTION CONTACT AmeriCorps John Turner Engages Americans in service to meet critical needs in Acting Program Director education, public safety, health, and the environment. AmeriCorps programs are partnerships including federal funding, state coordination and community participation. Community Development 404-327-6846 john.turner@dca.ga.gov www.americorpsga.org Great Promise Partnership Lori Bodine Brings together private sector partners, schools, local Program Manager, External Affairs government, community partners, students and innovative 404-327-6848 programming to help at-risk students graduate and become lori.bodine@dca.ga.gov productive members of their communities. www.gppartnership.org Martin Luther King, Jr. Advisory Council Promotes the legacy and teaching of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. through education, recognition of civil rights achievements and bringing partners together to achieve community goals. Georgia Academy for Economic Development Four-day training program offered annually in the 12 service delivery regions to assist local leaders in their economic development efforts by providing an understanding of the critical processes, strategies and components involved in improving their local and regional economies and achieving economic success in today's global economy. Developed and implemented through state partners' consortium of economic development agencies, supported by staff from DCA, Georgia EMC, and Georgia Power. John Turner Director, Community Development 404-327-6846 john.turner@dca.ga.gov www.americorpsga.org/mlkcouncil Corinne Thornton Director, Office of Regional Services, External Affairs 706-340-6461 corinne.thornton@dca.ga.gov (Contact your Regional Managers pg.2 -for specific dates and locations in your region) www.georgiaacademy.org Georgia Rural Development Council Appointed by the Governor, the Council advocates for rural Georgia, champions new development opportunities, and partners with public and private initiatives to strengthen rural communities. In addition, the Council serves as a clearinghouse for policies and initiatives affecting community and economic development in rural Georgia. Saralyn Stafford Director, External Affairs & Rural Policy Division 404-679-3166 saralyn.stafford@dca.ga.gov www.ruralgeorgia.org Keep Georgia Beautiful Foundation KGBF engages all sectors in keeping Georgia beautiful: civic, business and government. As the first-ever state affiliate of Keep America Beautiful (KAB), we provide support to the 77 local affiliates in Georgia, the largest network in the country. Sarah Visser Executive Director 404-679-4910 sarah.visser@KGBF.org www.KeepGeorgiaBeautiful.org Page | 5 DCA Resource Guide Technical Assistance: Customized resources to fit the specific needs of your community and background research for particular issues and opportunities PROGRAM DESCRIPTION CONTACT Community Planning Institute Jim Frederick Annual seminars for local planning commissioners, elected Director, Office of Planning & officials, staff and other interested parties. Courses are one or Environmental Management two days, and cover a variety of community development topics: 404-679-3105 preparing a comprehensive plan, using a plan effectively, tools to jim.frederick@dca.ga.gov implement a local plan, and water resource management. www.dca.ga.gov/CPI Comprehensive Planning A community plan outlines strategies to achieve goals and meet community needs. Our planning staff can provide hands-on assistance to address issues specifically identified in local comprehensive plans, and offer appropriate tools to achieve a community vision. Jim Frederick Director, Office of Planning & Environmental Management 404-679-3105 jim.frederick@dca.ga.gov www.georgiaplanning.com Construction Codes and Industrialized Buildings Technical assistance for local code officials, local amendments, and current codes and related issues in Georgia. We provide model codes and resolutions for local governments and workshops on a variety of code and building-related topics, as well as advisory groups for specific topics related to building and community development. Ted Miltiades Director, Office of Codes & Research 404-679-3106 ted.miltiades@dca.ga.gov www.dca.ga.gov/codes Research Analysis of many activities and functions of Georgia local governments. Annual reports include Government Management Indicators, the Wage and Salary Survey, and Report of Local Government Finances, all of which provide critical information to local and statewide elected officials, citizens and staff. Jonathan Sharpe Program Manager, Office of Codes & Research 404-679-4996 jonathan.sharpe@dca.ga.gov www.dca.ga.gov/research Service Delivery Strategies Gives local governments and authorities the opportunity to reach agreement on the delivery of services in an effective and costefficient manner to Georgia's citizens. WaterFirstTM A voluntary program involving local governments, state agencies and other organizations to improve management and protection of water resources, with significant community incentives for participation. Jon West Office of Planning & Environmental Management 404-327-6872 jon.west@dca.ga.gov www.dca.ga.gov/servicedelivery Deatre Denion Program Coordinator, Office of Planning & Environmental Management 912-704-4136 deatre.denion@dca.ga.gov www.dca.ga.gov/waterfirst Page | 6 DCA Resource Guide Community Finance: Providing tools to help create and retain jobs for the citizens of your community, build wealth, and create a climate of success Joanie Perry Division Director Community Finance 404-679-3173 joanie.perry@dca.ga.gov Funding: Assisting with local and regional economic development projects PROGRAM DESCRIPTION CONTACT Bond Allocation Program John Turner Projects include traditional industrial revenue bonds (IDB) and Acting Director, Office of exempt facility bonds. (See Housing section for information on Research and Surveys housing related bonds.) Economic development projects must 404-679-3173 commit to create or retain 1 job for every $125,000 of financing. john.turner@dca.ga.gov www.dca.ga.gov/finance CDBG Loan Guarantee Program Joanie Perry A flexible economic and community development financing tool Director, Community Finance for certain large-scale economic development projects that cannot Division proceed without loan guarantee assistance. 404-679-3173 joanie.perry@dca.ga.gov www.dca.ga.gov/finance Downtown Development Revolving Loan Fund Kim Carter Assists cities, counties and development authorities revitalize and Program Manager, Office of enhance downtown areas through below-market-rate financing Economic Development for projects in core historic downtown areas and adjacent historic 404-679-0604 neighborhoods. (Georgia Cities Foundation a frequent partner in kim.carter@dca.ga.gov larger projects.) www.dca.ga.gov/finance Employment Incentive Program (EIP) A set-aside within the traditional CDBG program that provides loans or grants to local governments to fund needed capital improvements for businesses that create or maintain employment opportunities for low to moderate income persons. See program managers' contact information for the grant program and loan program. Brock Smith (Grants) Manager, Office of Economic Development 404-679-1744 brock.smith@dca.ga.gov Staci Tillman (Loans) Economic Development Program Manager 404-679-0668 staci.tillman@dca.ga.gov www.dca.ga.gov/finance Page | 7 DCA Resource Guide Georgia State Small Business Credit Initiative A federally funded program to stimulate private financing for small business growth. Georgia's SSBCI program includes: 1. Georgia Funding for CDFIs: approved CDFIs use SSBCI funds to partner with banks in providing credit for eligible projects to underserved small businesses. 2. Georgia Small Business Credit Guarantee: a 50% loan guarantee with a conversion option into a risk reserve pool offering up to 80% reimbursement for loan losses. 3. Georgia Capital Access Program (GCAP): a risk reserve pool funded with borrower/lender fees matched with SSBCI funds. 4. Georgia Loan Participation Program (GA LPP) will purchase up to 25% of a small business loan originated by an approved lender, which helps mitigate lender risk. Holly Hunt Program Manager, Office of Economic Development 404-679-3144 holly.hunt@dca.ga.gov http://www.georgia-ssbci.org OneGeorgia Funding for Rural Georgia economic development capacity building and job creation projects through local & regional development authorities, segmented into the EDGE and Equity programs. EDGE project recommendations are issued by the Georgia Department of Economic Development. Redevelopment Program Fund Provides flexible financial assistance including grants and loans to local governments to assist in implementing challenging economic and community development projects that cannot be undertaken with existing public sector grant and loan programs. Regional Economic Business Assistance Program (REBA) Used to enhance Georgia's competitiveness in attracting significant economic development projects and as a vehicle for significant local, regional or state-wide initiatives that will have short- or long-term economic development benefits. Generally, REBA funds are targeted for projects in non-rural counties. Kim Carter (Equity) Program Manager, Office of Economic Development 404-679-0604 kim.carter@dca.ga.gov Dawn Sturbaum (EDGE) Sr. Incentives Program Manager 404-679-1585 dawn.sturbaum@dca.ga.gov www.onegeorgia.org Staci Tillman Program Manager, Office of Economic Development 404-679-0668 staci.tillman@dca.ga.gov www.dca.ga.gov/finance Dawn Sturbaum Sr. Incentives Program Manager, Office of Economic Development 404-679-1585 dawn.sturbaum@dca.ga.gov Inna Kharoujik Incentives Program Manager, Office of Economic Development 404-679-0593 Inna.Kharoujik@dca.ga.gov www.dca.ga.gov/finance Page | 8 DCA Resource Guide Incentives: Creating a climate of success to encourage private investment in your community PROGRAM DESCRIPTION CONTACT Opportunity Zones Cherie Bennett Targets poverty areas that are in decline, suffering from Program Manager, Office of disinvestment and in need of redevelopment and revitalization. Economic Development Investments in designated OZ may qualify for Georgia's maximum 404-831-2058 job tax credit of $3,500 per job created. cherie.bennett@dca.ga.gov www.dca.ga.gov/OZ Enterprise Zones Kelly Folsom-Lane Intended to improve geographic areas within cities and counties Economic Field Svcs. suffering from disinvestment, underdevelopment, and economic Representative decline, encouraging private businesses to reinvest and 229-896-4259 rehabilitate such areas. Must meet at least 3 of 5 specific criteria. Kelly.lane@dca.ga.gov May provide a property tax exemption and abatement or reduction in occupation taxes, regulatory fees, building inspection Mary Alice Applegate fees, and other fees. CDBG Field Svcs. Representative 404-290-3983 Maryalice.applegate@dca.ga.gov www.dca.ga.gov/EZ Job Tax Credits Dawn Sturbaum Available to any business or headquarters engaged in Sr. Incentives Program Manager, manufacturing, warehousing and distribution, processing, Office of Economic Development telecommunications, tourism, or research and development 404-679-1585 industries, but does not include retail businesses. If other dawn.sturbaum@dca.ga.gov requirements are met, job tax credits are available to businesses www.dca.ga.gov/taxcredits of any nature, including retail businesses, in counties recognized and designated as the 40 least developed counties. Counties and certain census tracts in Georgia are annually ranked in economic tiers based on these factors: highest unemployment rate; lowest per capita income; and highest percentage of residents whose incomes are below the poverty level. Tourism Development Act Tax Credits Provides a state sales and use tax refund program for certain eligible new or expanding tourism attraction projects to maintain a portion of their sales tax revenues for 10 years. Eligible projects that meet the following criteria may qualify for the program: 1. Construct a qualifying tourism attraction project that costs a minimum of $1 million 2. Attract at least 25 percent of its visitors from out of state following its third year 3. Contributes to a significant and positive economic impact on the state considering, among other factors, the extent to which the tourism attraction project will compete directly with tourism attractions in this state. Sally Mrus Interim Program Manager, Office of Economic Development 404-679-1589 sally.mrus@dca.ga.gov Page | 9 DCA Resource Guide Partnerships: Enabling governments and private businesses to work together to achieve specific community development goals PROGRAM DESCRIPTION CONTACT Main Street and Downtown Development Billy Peppers Helps cities create a business-friendly atmosphere. Utilizes Director, Office of Downtown national 4-point approach of organization, design, promotion and Development economic development. Partners include local cities, the Georgia Community Development Downtown Association, Georgia Municipal Association and UGA Division Carl Vinson Institute of Government. 404-679-3101 billy.peppers@dca.ga.gov www.mainstreetgeorgia.org Technical Assistance: Expertise and experience to help communities identify the most effective funding and other resources to help them meet their goals. Special finance program representatives assist local communities in development of project plans for Community Block Development Grants, EIP grants/loans, OneGeorgia Equity projects and other resources available for economic development financing. Economic Development Finance Representatives NW Patrick Vickers Patrick.vickers@dca.ga.gov 404-679-3151 NE John VanBrunt John.vanbrunt@dca.ga.gov 706-825-1356 SW Tonya Mole Tonya.mole@dca.ga.gov 404-852-6876 SE South Jennifer Fordham Kelly Folsom Lane Jennifer.fordham@dca.ga.gov 912-265-4212 Kelly.lane@dca.ga.gov 229-896-4259 North CDBG Field Representatives Brent Allen Brent.allen@dca.ga.gov 404-217-0733 Central West East South Mary Alice Applegate Ray Pridgeon Cindy Alligood Robert Compton Maryalice.applegate@dca.ga.gov 404-290-3983 Ray.pridgeon@dca.ga.gov 229-309-0056 Cindy.alligood@dca.ga.gov 478-290-1074 Robert.compton@dca.ga.gov 229-896-4259 Page | 10 DCA Resource Guide Housing: Helping communities with housing strategies and tools, because home is where it all begins. Laurel Hart Nancy Dove Division Director, Acting Division Director, Housing Finance and Development Housing Choice Voucher Program laurel.hart@dca.ga.gov nancy.dove@dca.ga.gov 404-679-0580 706-369-6215 Funding: Helping communities create or improve housing for their citizens PROGRAM DESCRIPTION CONTACT Georgia Dream Homeownership Program Beth Spears Affordable first mortgage financing and down payment Housing Outreach Manager assistance for eligible low and moderate income home 404-245-2191 buyers available through participating lender partners. beth.spears@dca.ga.gov www.gadream.com HomeSafe Georgia Cynthia Harrison A federally funded program that provides up to 24 months Marketing Specialist of temporary mortgage assistance to unemployed or 404-679-3167 underemployed homeowners to help prevent foreclosures. cynthia.harrison@dca.ga.gov www.homesafegeorgia.com Community HOME Investment Program (CHIP) Michelle Lewis Funds to assist local governments, nonprofit organizations Program Manager, Office of Programs and public housing authorities to provide affordable and Public Affairs housing in their communities. Funds may be used to 404-679-0659 provide eligible, low- and moderate income households michelle.lewis@dca.ga.gov with down payment assistance or to assist with www.dca.ga.gov/finance homeowner rehabilitation. Eligible communities are those outside of a HUD-designated Participating Jurisdiction as defined by the HOME Program. Emergency Solutions Grants (Homeless Programs) Provides outreach, shelter, rapid re-housing, homelessness prevention and related services to organizations who serve persons experiencing homelessness, or for persons in danger of becoming homeless, throughout the state. Housing Opportunities for People with AIDS (HOPWA) Provides housing assistance (emergency, transitional and/or permanent shelter) for lower income persons with HIV/AIDS. Funds are typically sub-granted to non-profit agencies within communities that make their own rules for programs and criteria, provided such rules are within the scope of HOPWA regulations and guidance from HUD. Christy Hahn Program Coordinator, Office of Programs and Public Affairs 404-679-5293 christy.hahn@dca.ga.gov www.dca.ga.gov/specialneeds Phillis Thomas Program Manager, Office of Programs and Public Affairs 404-679-0651 phillis.thomas@dca.ga.gov www.dca.ga.gov/specialneeds Page | 11 DCA Resource Guide HOME Rental Housing Loan Program In conjunction with the Housing Tax Credit program, provides low interest loans to for-profit and non-profit developers for the construction and/or renovation of affordable multifamily rental housing in communities across Georgia. Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP) A federally funded program designed for the purpose of stabilizing communities that have suffered from abandonment and foreclosures. Funds 22 community efforts across Georgia. No new enrollments anticipated at this time. Fenice Taylor Director, Office of Housing Finance 404-679-0647 fenice.taylor@dca.ga.gov www.dca.ga.gov/housingdevelopment Sally Adams NSP Manager, Community Development Division 404-486-0224 sally.adams@dca.ga.gov Incentives: Helping communities involve private investors in developing the needed housing for their citizens PROGRAM DESCRIPTION CONTACT Housing Tax Credit Program Fenice Taylor Provides the private market an incentive to invest in Director, Office of Housing Finance affordable rental housing. Federal housing tax credits are 404-679-0647 awarded to developers of qualified projects that provide fenice.taylor@dca.ga.gov housing opportunities across Georgia. www.dca.ga.gov/housingdevelopment Partnerships: Providing opportunities to work with other organizations and businesses to meet the housing needs of Georgia's communities PROGRAM DESCRIPTION CONTACT Rental Assistance (Housing Choice Voucher Program) Assists very low-income families, the elderly, and the disabled to afford decent, safe, and sanitary housing in the private market. DCA receives federal funds from HUD to administer the voucher program. Carmen Chubb Acting Director 404-679-0607 Carmen.chubb@dca.ga.gov www.dca.ga.gov/HCVP HUD Housing Counseling Program Provides consumer counseling on housing issues. Addresses homelessness through counseling and assists homeowners in need of foreclosure assistance. National Foreclosure Mitigation Counseling Program Provides default mitigation counseling to consumers at risk Karen Young Grants Specialist 404-982-3505 karen.young@dca.ga.gov www.gadream.com of foreclosure through a network of approved agencies. GeorgiaHousingSearch.org Online directory matching those seeking affordable rental options with available units. Owners can advertise units and families seeking housing may contact the property owner/manager through a convenient email link. Ronald Pounds Housing Development Coordinator, Office of Programs and Public Affairs 404-327-6864 ronald.pounds@dca.ga.gov www.GeorgiaHousingSearch.org Page | 12 DCA Resource Guide Continuum of Care Program A competitive federally funded program designed to help individuals move into transitional and permanent housing. The goal of the program is to optimize self sufficiency and provide long-term stability to individuals and families experiencing homelessness. Community Home Development Organizations (CHDO) Eligible nonprofit organizations participate in the CHDO Predevelopment Loan (CPLP) and the CHDO Operating Assistance Programs (COAP). The CPLP provides assistance to own, develop, or sponsor affordable housing. The COAP helps maintain operations and develop capacity to implement HOME funded CHDO activities. Tenant Based Rental Assistance Program (TBRA) Provides short-term rental assistance for up to 24 months to single adult individuals with disabilities and families with at least one adult family member with a disability. The adult individual with a disability must be participating in the Georgia Money Follows the Person (MFP) program and be referred to DCA for the rental assistance. Section 811 Project Rental Assistance Demonstration Provides project based rental assistance in connection with community based services to extremely low income persons with disabilities. The program seeks to provide integrative housing to help promote recovery and housing stability. Shelter Plus Care (S+C) Program Working with about 50 sub-grantees state-wide, DCA provides approximately $10 million annually to support more than 1,600 units of permanent supportive housing for persons (and their families) who are homeless and disabled. Home Access Program Provides funding from the Brain and Spinal Injury Trust Fund Commission for persons that have traumatic brain injury or spinal cord injuries. Funds are to provide accessibility improvements at owner-occupied homes in which individuals with disabilities reside and utilize as their primary residence. Re-Entry Partnership Housing Program A unique collaboration among the Georgia Department of Corrections, the State Board of Pardons and Parole and DCA. Housing is coordinated for persons who have remained in prison after the Pardon Board has authorized their release due solely to having no residential options. Tina Moore Coordinator, Office of Programs and Public Affairs 404-327-6870 tina.moore@dca.ga.gov www.dca.ga.gov/specialneeds Christy Fletcher Manager, Office of Programs and Public Affairs 404-679-3125 christy.fletcher@dca.ga.gov www.dca.ga.gov/housingdevelopment Patrick Brown Housing Development Coordinator, Office of Programs and Public Affairs 404-679-0630 patrick.brown@dca.ga.gov www.dca.ga.gov/specialneeds Patrick Brown Housing Development Coordinator, Office of Programs and Public Affairs 404-679-0630 patrick.brown@dca.ga.gov www.dca.ga.gov/specialneeds Libby Mazur Coordinator, Office of Programs and Public Affairs 404-982-3577 libby.mazur@dca.ga.gov www.dca.ga.gov/specialneeds Ronald Pounds Housing Development Coordinator, Office of Programs and Public Affairs 404-327-6864 ronald.pounds@dca.ga.gov www.dca.ga.gov/specialneeds Patricia Wright Grants Manager, Office of Programs and Public Affairs 404-327-6856 patricia.wright@dca.ga.gov www.dca.ga.gov/specialneeds Page | 13 DCA Resource Guide Technical Assistance: Housing Outreach Representatives can assist communities in developing community housing plans PROGRAM DESCRIPTION CONTACT Georgia Initiative for Community Housing (GICH) Teresa Concannon A state initiative that offers communities a three-year Housing Outreach Coordinator, Office program of collaboration and technical assistance related of Programs and Public Affairs to housing and community development. The objective is 912-536-5723 to help communities create and launch a locally based plan teresa.concannon@dca.ga.gov to meet their housing needs. Jointly offered through DCA, www.fcs.uga.edu/hace/hdrc/gich.html GMA and UGA's Housing & Demographic Research Center. The Georgia Landlord Tenant Handbook Kathy Maguire A publication designed to answer common residential Office of Programs and Public Affairs landlord-tenant questions. The free handbook is available 404-679-0662 on the Georgia Department of Community Affairs website kathy.maguire@dca.ga.gov under Publications. NW NE West East Housing Outreach Representatives Beth Spears beth.spears@dca.ga.gov 404-245-2191 Ron Ross ron.ross@dca.ga.gov 404-368-7177 Dean Nelson dean.nelson@dca.ga.gov 404-852-2160 Teresa teresa.concannon@dca.ga 912-536-5723 Concannon .gov Page | 14 DCA Resource Guide Executive Leadership Gretchen Corbin Commissioner 404-679-0585 gcorbin@dca.ga.gov Carmen Chubb Deputy Commissioner Housing 404-679-0607 carmen.chubb@dca.ga.gov Brian Williamson Deputy Commissioner Community Development & FInance 404-679-1587 brian.williamson@dca.ga.gov John Ellis Deputy Commissioner Finance & Administration 404-679-4833 john.ellis@dca.ga.gov Phil Smith Chief Operating Officer 404-679-3123 phil.smith@dca.ga.gov Phil Foil Special Assistant to the Commissioner 404-982-3579 phil.foil@dca.ga.gov Saralyn Stafford Director External Affairs and Rural Policy 404-679-3166 saralyn.stafford@dca.ga.gov Niki Knox Director Governmental Relations 404-679-4816 niki.knox@dca.ga.gov Alison Tyrer Director Marketing and Communications 404-679-0661 alison.tyrer@dca.ga.gov If you cannot find what you need within this Resource Guide, the Executive Leadership Team is ready to assist. Feel free to call upon any member of the team. Page | 15 60 Executive Park South, NE Atlanta, GA 30329 404.679.4940 www.dca.ga.gov The Georgia Department of Community Affairs is committed to providing all persons with equal access to its services, programs, activities, education, and employment regardless of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status, disability or age. For a reasonable accommodation or any other issues, please feel free to contact us at fairhousing@dca.ga.gov.