DCA programs & services directory / DCA

PROGRAMS & SERVICES DIRECTORY
2003 -2004
GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF
COMMUNITY AFFAIRS
60 Executive Park South, N.E. Atlanta, Georgia 30329-2231
(404) 679-4940 www.dca.state.ga.us
An Equal Opportunity Employer
EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY

THE GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF
COMMUNITY AFFAIRS
Establishing partnerships between state government, local governments and the private sector to create opportunities to improve the quality of life in Georgia.
Under the direction of the Commissioner, the Department serves as an advocate for local governments and provides planning, technical, and financial assistance to help local officials meet their ongoing challenging community and economic development needs. DCA serves local governments in matters of social, economic, human, and intergovernmental relations, as well as provides mediation, consultation and research services.
The Department also assists thousands of Georgians in affording quality housing through homeless assistance, rental subsidies, rental housing development financing and homeownership mortgage programs. Many of these programs are funded through the Georgia Housing and Finance Authority (GHFA), a public nonprofit corporation authorized to issue tax-exempt bonds to finance mortgage loans for affordable housing. The Department administers the programs of GHFA.
For more information on the programs highlighted in this brochure, visit our web site www.dca.state.ga.us
ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE
The Board of Community Affairs establishes the overall goals and policies of the Department. The Board (appointed by the Governor) is comprised of one member from each congressional district in the state and five additional at-large members. The Board of Community Affairs also serves as the Board of GHFA and of the Georgia Music Hall of Fame Authority. Members may include elected local government officials and individuals with an interest or expertise in community or economic development, environmental issues, and housing development or finance. This cross-section of local leadership represents a commitment by the Department of Community Affairs to provide those services most needed by Georgia's local governments and communities. The Department is comprised of more than 400 professionals between the central office in Atlanta and eighteen field offices statewide.
EXECUTIVE OFFICE
The Executive Office carries out Board of Community Affairs policy directives. The Commissioner is selected by the Board and serves as the Department's Chief Executive Officer. The Commissioner also serves as the Executive Director of both the Georgia Housing and Finance Authority and the Georgia Music Hall of Fame Authority.
The Executive Office is responsible for intergovernmental and legislative relations and provides general policy guidance and management oversight to the various operating divisions.
ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT DIVISION
This division provides a variety of support functions to DCA. The division is comprised of three units: Human Resources, Administrative Services, and Information Technologies and Design Services.
The Office of Human Resources is responsible for maintaining and administering personnel recruitment and selection, compensation, performance evaluation, employee relations, workers compensation, policy development and position classification. The section also works closely with supervisors and managers to develop training programs and to resolve personnel problems and issues. In addition, the section provides employees with information and assistance regarding the state benefit package.
The Office of Administrative Services provides fleet management, telecommunications, mail and supply services, printing, and records management services. The Office is also responsible for the condition, maintenance and safety of the department building and property, and serves as the department liaison for Regional office lease issues.
The Office of Information Technologies and Design Services provides computer desktop technical assistance, computer and software training, network and server support, programming and development, and maintains DCA's mainframes. The Office also manages the department's Intranet and is responsible for the development and maintenance of the department's external web sites.
BUSINESS AND FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE DIVISION
This division administers various community and economic development grant and loan programs and provides community and economic development technical assistance. Among the grant programs is the state-administered Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program, which includes the Employment Incentive Program (EIP) and the Immediate Threat and Danger Program, as well as other competitive and need-based programs such as the Community HOME Investment Program (CHIP). The division also oversees and monitors local Revolving Loan Funds (RLF) throughout Georgia created through assistance from the department.
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The division manages the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) Grant Program and the ARC Revolving Loan Fund. It also administers the Empowerment Zone/Enterprise Community (EZ/EC) Program, the Regional Economic Business Assistance (REBA) grant program, the Regional Assistance Program (RAP), the Downtown Development Revolving Loan Fund (DDRLF), the Regional Economic Assistance Program (REAP), and the Job Tax Credit Program. In addition, the division provides grant and loan administrative services to the OneGeorgia Authority. The division also provides loan underwriting services and loan servicing to the Georgia Cities Foundation.
Finally, the division provides technical assistance concerning applicable laws and regulations to participants in the loan and grant programs, and provides general technical assistance to local governments, industrial development authorities and other public and private organizations.
COMMUNITY SERVICES DIVISION
This division provides staff, management and oversight for the programs of three state organizations and one federally-funded program attached to the Georgia Department of Community Affairs. The State Housing Trust Fund for the Homeless Commission is governed by a nine member commission appointed by the Governor. The Trust Fund Commission awards funds to nonprofit organizations and units of local government to support the operation of emergency shelters, transitional housing and essential services for the homeless. The Commission also provides technical and financial assistance to supportive housing developments that serve individuals and families with special housing needs.
The Georgia Commission for Service and Volunteerism administers the AmeriCorps-National grant program to qualified non-profit and local government applicants on a funds-available basis. Grant funds provide stipends for community service by AmeriCorps members in the national priority needs areas of education, environment, public safety and human need. AmeriCorps member service augments services provided by traditional volunteers. A fifteen-member board appointed by the Governor oversees Commission projects.
This division also administers the federal Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program, which provides low income families subsidies for affordable, safe, quality rental housing. This U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) funded program is administered by DCA in 149 of Georgia's 159 counties through five regional offices in Albany, Athens, Carrollton, Eastman and Waycross. The program provides rent subsidies on behalf of very low income families and individuals to participating landlords who agree to maintain their rental properties to the required housing quality standards. In the remaining ten counties, local housing authorities administer Section 8 subsidies.

COMMUNITY SERVICES DIVISION REGIONAL OFFICES

Carrollton Regional Office 103 Parkwood Circle Carrollton, GA 30117 (770) 836-6660 (888) 340-4481
Athens Regional Office Newton Bridge Rd., Suite 2 Athens, GA 30607 (706) 369-5636 (888) 318-0354

Waycross Regional Office 960-A City Boulevard Waycross, GA 31501 (912) 285-6280 (888) 879-2549
Albany Regional Office 323 Pine Avenue, Suite 202 Albany, GA 31701 (229) 430-4117 (888) 340-7069

Eastman Regional Office 503 Oak St., N.W. Eastman, GA 31023 (478) 374-6961 (888) 340-6112

FINANCE DIVISION

PROGRAMS & SERVICES DIRECTORY: 2003

This division provides administrative support to the Department in areas including purchasing, budget, payroll, accounting, bond finance and investments.

In addition, the division offers assistance to GHFA by issuing tax-exempt bonds to finance single family mortgage loans. The division also conservatively manages GHFA's $50 million plus general fund, fixed-income portfolio and an $800 plus million bond fund. The larger active resolution in the bond fund is rated AAA by Standard and Poor's. The two smaller inactive resolutions are rated Aa+ with Top Tier status. While Moody's is not currently requested to rate new bond issues, they maintain a AA rating on all GHFA bonds issued prior to June 1998.

HOUSING FINANCE DIVISION
The Housing Finance Division provides financing for the development and acquisition of affordable rental and owner-occupied housing using both state and federal funding. This division administers the programs of the Georgia Housing and Finance Authority (GHFA) and is completely self-supporting. No state funds are used for operations.
The Office of Homeownership helps Georgia families purchase homes with below market rate mortgages funded from the proceeds of tax-exempt mortgage revenue bonds and with down payment loans at zero percent interest. Home buyer education seminars and counseling are also coordinated by this Office. Participating lenders with hundreds of offices around the state take applications for the loans, many of which are serviced by the Office under the tradename of State Home Mortgage. More than 33,000 families have used this program to make homeownership possible.
The Office of Affordable Housing allocates, underwrites and manages a program of low interest loans and state and federal tax credits for affordable rental housing. In return for these financial incentives, owners agree to rent to low income tenants and maintain their properties in good condition. Over 70,000 units of rental housing around the State are under the management of this group, with as many as 8,000 units added each year.
The Office of Housing Planning and Administration manages the federal HOME program for the Department, which results in about $24 million dollars annually in funds for affordable housing. The Office also offers financial and technical assistance, training and consultation to nonprofits, local governments, housing authorities and others interested in affordable housing development on a local level.
PLANNING AND ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT DIVISION
This division is responsible for a wide range of activities, including the implementation of the Georgia Planning Act, the Solid Waste Management Act, and the Service Delivery Strategy Act. Responsibilities include developing minimum planning standards and procedures for local and regional comprehensive and solid waste management plans, and providing training and educational materials to local governments and Regional Development Centers on the coordinated planning and solid waste planning processes. Staff also monitors developments of regional impact and oversees Georgia's uniform construction codes and industrialized building programs. As part of its comprehensive planning responsibilities, the division develops and maintains a statewide geographic information system and assists RDCs in developing local land use and community facilities data.
In addition, the division manages the state's recycling and waste reduction efforts for local governments and the general public and administers the Keep Georgia Beautiful Program, the lead organization in state government for solid waste public education. It has shared responsibility with other state agencies for managing and implementing the state solid waste management plan. It also provides training, education and technical assistance to teachers, public officials, and the general public on source reduction methods, other solid waste issues and water quality and water quantity issues.

RURAL DEVELOPMENT DIVISION
This division oversees the department's local government research and analysis, downtown development and regional and rural outreach activities. It also provides staff support to the Georgia Rural Development Council and the Georgia Academy for Economic Development (GAED).
The Office of Regional Services (ORS) provides technical assistance to local governments, development authorities and chambers of commerce through eleven non-Atlanta regional offices in Georgia. Regional staff assistance includes leadership development, local government management and community, economic and downtown development activities. The Business Retention and Expansion Process (BREP) in partnership with DITT and local governments is also managed by staff in this office as is the GAED .
The Office of Research (OR) administers a variety of local government surveys/reports related to finance, taxation, general operations, and solid waste management. Information contained in these surveys/reports is used to develop publications such as Georgia County Snapshots, CityScapes, Community Indicators, and the Georgia Local Government Finance Highlights. OR maintains the Uniform Chart of Accounts for Local Governments in Georgia, and provides technical assistance regarding its proper implementation. OR also provides technical assistance regarding inmate housing and other law enforcement administrative matters. Additionally, OR develops local government fiscal impact reports for the General Assembly, and conducts other research on topics of particular importance to local government and the general public.
The Office of Quality Growth (OQG) focuses on helping communities address issues of community development and quality of life in a manner consistent with the Quality Community Objectives contained in DCA's Vision Statement. The office, working hand-in-hand with DCA's regional staff and the Georgia Quality Growth Parternship (GQGP), offers intensive technical assistance to communities wishing to pursue "smart growth or quality growth" best practices. The office works with the GQGP in maintaining a quality growth web site, developing quality growth implementation
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tool kits, and promoting the use of the tools in helping address issues such as encouraging infill development and adaptive reuse of historic structures, adopting innovative land use regulations or the set aside of open space.
The Office of Downtown Development (ODD) provides downtown development assistance to Georgia cities primarily through the 105-city Georgia Main Street/Better Hometown Program and the 50-member Urban Georgia Network (UGN). ODD provides technical assistance, training and networking to participating Georgia Main Street/Better Hometown cities through its collaborations with the University of Georgia's (UGA) Business Outreach Services, UGA's School of Environmental Design and the Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation. The UGN is designed to assist larger urban programs, providing a forum for networking around common downtown development issues. In partnership with DCA's regional offices, ODD assists other Georgia cities not involved in Main Street/Better Hometown or the UGN programs as time and resources permit.
REGIONAL SERVICE OFFICES *
REGION 1 Regional Representative: Leamon Scott 527 Broad Street Rome, GA 30161 (706) 802-5490
REGION 2 Regional Representative: Kathy Papa 604 Washington Street, N.W., Suite B-3 Gainesville, GA 30501 (770) 538-2752
REGION 4 Regional Representative: Corinne Blencoe 31-B Postal Parkway Newnan, GA 30263 (770) 254-7443 REGION 5 Regional Representative: Annaka Woodruff 1180 E. Broad, Chicopee Complex Athens, GA 30602 (706) 542-9967 REGION 6 Regional Representative: Adriane Wood 688 Walnut Street, Suite 201, Macon, GA 31201 (478) 752-1172 REGION 7 Regional Representative: Hezekiah Aikens 1054 Claussen Road, Suite 301 Augusta, GA 30907 (706) 667-4860 REGION 8 Regional Representative: Casey Bray 306 W. Lamar Street Americus, GA 31709 (229) 931-2124 REGION 9 Regional Representative: James Crowdis 1202-C Hillcrest Parkway Dublin, GA 31021 (478) 274-7728 REGION 10 Regional Representative: Spencer Mueller 284 North Main Street Blakely, GA 39823 (229) 724-2075 REGION 11 Regional Representative: Scott Purvis 404 North Peterson Avenue Douglas, GA 31533 (912) 389-4195 REGION 12 Regional Representative: Tina Hutcheson 111 E. Liberty Street, Suite 203 Savannah, GA 31401 (912) 651-7591
*Region 3 served by central office staff

PROGRAMS & SERVICES DIRECTORY: 2003
DIVISION DIRECTORY

Executive Office
Mike Beatty, Commissioner (404) 679-4940
Phil Foil, Executive Assistant (404) 679-0600
Administrative Support Division
Phil Foil, Director (404) 679-0600
pfoil@dca.state.ga.us
Office of Human Resources Al Howell
(404) 679-3137 ahowell@dca.state.ga.us
Office of Administrative Services Raymond Noel (404) 679-0623
rnoel@dca.state.ga.us
Office of Information Technologies and Design Services John Ellis
(404) 679-4833
jellis@dca.state.ga.us
Business and Financial Assistance Division
Brian Williamson, Director (404) 679-1587
bwilliam@dca.state.ga.us
Office of Grant Administration Bobby Smith (404) 679-3168
bsmith@dca.state.ga.us Office of Economic Development
Susan Hart Ridley (404) 679-3128
shridley@dca.state.ga.us
Office of Field Services Joanie Perry
(404) 679-3173 jperry@dca.state.ga.us
Community Services Division
Terry Ball, Director (404) 679-0569
tball@dca.state.ga.us
Office of the State Housing Trust Fund for the Homeless John Bassett
(404) 679-3170 jbassett@dca.state.ga.us
Office of the Georgia Commission for National & Community Service Jim Marshall (404) 679-6844 jmarshal@dca.state.ga.us
Section 8 Rental Assistance Program Michael Timm (404) 679-1726
mtimm@dca.state.ga.us


Housing Finance Division
Carmen Chubb, Director (404) 679-0607
cchubb@dca.state.ga.us
Office of Homeownership Phil Cottone
(404) 679-4846 pcottone@dca.state.ga.us
Office of Affordable Housing Joy Fitzgerald (404) 679-4865
jfitzger@dca.state.ga.us
Office of Housing Planning and Adminstration Don Watt
(404) 679-0660 dwatt@dca.state.ga.us
Georgia Music Hall of Fame Division
Liz Garcia, Director (478) 750-8555, Ext.102 lgarcia@dca.state.ga.us
Joseph Johnson Curator of Music and Popular Culture
(478) 750-8555, Ext.110 jjohnson@dca.state.ga.us
Lisa Love Communications and Marketing Director
(478) 750-8555, Ext.108 llove@dca.state.ga.us Paul Brown
Retail Operations Director (478) 750-8555, Ext. 105 pbrown@dca.state.ga.us
Planning and Environmental Management Division
Rick Brooks, Director (404) 679-0608
rbrooks@dca.state.ga.us
Office of Coordinated Planning Michael Gleaton (404) 679-3107
mgleaton@dca.state.ga.us
Office of Environmental Management Randy Hartmann (404) 679-4816
rhartman@dca.state.ga.us
Office of Decision Support Systems Terry Jackson (404) 679-4946
tjackson@dca.state.ga.us
Rural Development Division
Jim Finch, Director (404) 679-4937
jfinch@dca.state.ga.us
Office of Regional Services
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Winfred Owens (706) 583-2731 wowens@dca.state.ga.us
Office of Research Mike Bush
(404) 679-3132 mbush@dca.state.ga.us
Office of Quality Growth Jim Frederick (404) 679-3105
jfrederi@dca.state.ga.us
Office of Downtown Development Billy Parrish
(404) 679-3115 bparrish@dca.state.ga.us

PROGRAMS & SERVICES DIRECTORY: 2003

AFFILIATED AUTHORITIES, BOARDS, COMMISSIONS AND ORGANIZATIONS
The Department of Community Affairs is associated with and/or provides administrative support to the following state authorities, boards, commissions, and organizations:
Georgia Academy for Economic Development Georgia Commission for Service and Volunteerism
Georgia Environmental Facilities Authority Georgia Sports Hall of Fame Authority Keep Georgia Beautiful Foundation, Inc.
State Housing Trust Fund for the Homeless Commission Community Developers Forum

DIRECTIONS

From I-85, take exit # 31, North Druid Hills Road. Go East. At first traffic light, turn right into Executive Park. Take Executive Park Drive past the Marriott Courtyard and turn right onto Executive Park South. DCA is last building on left, #60. Telephone: (404) 679-4940
Visitor parking is on the right and left, directly in front of the building, or on the top level of the parking deck.

N 85

ExPeacruktDivNrei.veDruid HIlls Road

Executive Park South

ExePcaurktivEeast

DCA

Executive Park Drive

Chantilly Drive

Sheridan Drive

Executive Park North Executive Park West