PROGRAMS
HOMELESS AND UNSTABLE HOUSING Emergency Shelter Transitional Housing Shelter Plus Care
GEORGIA DREAM HOMEOWNERSHIP PROGRAM
The Georgia Dream Homeownership Program with the Georgia Department of Community Affairs, has helped over 33,000 Georgians achieve their dream of homeownership by providing affordable first mortgage financing and down payment assistance.
First-time homebuyers can receive assistance with:
First Mortgage Loan Financing
- Flexible approval guidelines for Conventional, FHA VA or USDA-RD mortgage loans
- Up to 100% financing
- Low fixed interest rate, 30 year mortgage
- Very low closing costs
- Involuntary unemployment, accidental disability, and accidental death and dismemberment insurance available
Down Payment and Closing Cost Financing
Eligible first time homebuyers may qualify for down payment and closing cost financing to be used in conjunction with the First Mortgage Loan
- No interest
- No monthly payments
- No payment due until home is sold, refinanced or no longer used as the borrower's principal residence
Down Payment and Closing Loan Cost Amounts
- All eligible homebuyers - $5,000
- PEN - Public Protectors, Educators, Nurses (Health Care Providers) - $7,500 Designed to assist Georgia's heroes, who help others in times of need, purchase a home of their own.
- EV - Efficient and/or Visitable homes that are energy efficient as well as homes that are visitable by individuals with mobility impairments - $7,500
- CHOICE - Households consisting of individuals with disabilities, or those households with disabled members - $7,500 - $20,000
USDA HOUSING PROGRAMS
The Rural Housing Service (RHS) of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development works to improve the quality of life for rural Americans by ensuring that they have access to safe, well-built, affordable homes. A house is more than a roof over our heads; it is often the cornerstone upon which rests our ability to live near good jobs and to gain access to good schools and other public services; it builds economic stability; creates equity to finance education, business startups and retirement. Homeowners take greater pride in their communities and become involved citizens. RHS not only helps rural people acquire homes, it builds better lives and communities.
Home Ownership LoansRHS offers two types of home ownership loans: guaranteed and direct loans. The purpose is to provide financing - with no down payment and at favorable rates and terms - either through a direct loan with RHS or with a loan from a private financial institution which is guaranteed by RHS. These loans are for purchase, construction, rehabilitation or relocation of a dwelling and related facilities for low-or moderate-income rural persons.
Self-Help HousingSelf-Help Housing Loans help groups of 6 to 10 low-income families build their own home by providing materials and the skilled labor they cannot furnish themselves. Families must agree to work together until all home are finished.
Rural Rental Housing LoansRural Rental Housing Loans are made to finance building construction and site development of multi-family living quarters for people with low, very low and moderate incomes. Some units are reserved for persons aged 62 and over. Loans can be made in this program to construct housing that will be operated in cooperative form, but loan funds may not be used to finance individual units within the project.
Home Improvement Loans and GrantsHome Improvement and Repair Loans and Grants enable low-income rural homeowners to remove health and safety hazards from their homes and to make homes accessible for people with disabilities. Grants are available for people 62 years old and over who cannot afford to repay a loan.
Site LoansRural Housing Site Loans buy adequate building sites for development of a desirable community by private or public nonprofit organizations.
Farm Labor HousingFarm Labor Housing Loans and Grants enable farmers, public or private nonprofit organizations, and units of State and local governments to build, buy, or repair farm labor housing in either dormitory or multifamily apartment style.
Housing Preservation GrantsThese grants help low-income homeowners repair and rehabilitate their homes. Rental property owners can use them to repair and rehabilitate their units if they agree to make such units available to low-income families.
Housing SubsidiesRHS can help subsidize monthly mortgage and rental payments, limiting these costs to no more than 30 percent of the adjusted monthly income of the applicant. These subsidies can be used for the direct home ownership, rural rental and farm labor programs described above.
RENTAL ASSISTANCE:
HOUSING CHOICE VOUCHER PROGRAM
The Housing Choice Voucher Program is part of Georgia's comprehensive housing program administered by the Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA). This is a tenant-based assistance program that assists low income individuals and families rent safe, decent, and sanitary dwelling units in the private rental market. The program was created by the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 and is funded by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The goals of the Housing Choice Voucher Program (HCV) are to:
- Provide improved living conditions for low income persons while maintaining their rent payments at an affordable level;
- Promote freedom of housing choice and integrate lower income and minority persons into mainstream society;
- Provide decent, safe, and sanitary housing for eligible participants; and
- Provide an incentive to private property owners to rent to lower income persons by offering timely subsidy payments.
The Department of Community Affairs provides the subsidy payment directly to the landlord on behalf of the program participant. The amount of the subsidy is based primarily upon the participant's income. DCA administers the program in 149 of Georgia's 159 counties through five regional offices located around the State. The remaining 10 counties are served by their local housing authority.
All assistance programs involving state and federal fund are subject to household income limits set by HUD for every county.
Resolution:
Continuum of Care