The Athens Georgia Initiative for Community Housing (GICH) Committee has experienced significant interest from parties wishing to forward development proposals to the Georgia Department of Community Affair’s (DCA) in hope of receiving funding through the Federal Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) Program. 

Applicants are judged using a highly competitive, point-based scoring system developed by DCA. Final applications to DCA are due May 21, 2021. While the criteria and ultimate decision regarding funding lies with the state, the Athens GICH Committee is afforded significant opportunity for input. 

Should they so elect, the Athens GICH Committee, with agreement from the Athens-Clarke County Mayor and Commission, may forward a letter of support endorsing one project within Athens-Clarke County in 2021. As with other criteria, this highly coveted letter results in additional points for the submission. 

The Athens GICH Committee has established criteria and an associated timeline for applicants seeking the “GICH Point.” Applicants shall submit the following proposal information to the Athens-Clarke County Housing and Community Development Department: 

1.    Consistency with Local Priorities

Athens-Clarke County has drafted several recent plans and assessments related to affordable housing goals. Please describe how your LIHTC proposal is consistent with local affordable housing priorities and needs. Relevant local plans and assessments include:

• GICH Work Plan GICH Work Plan

• Envision Athens Action Agenda

• Athens-Clarke County Comprehensive Plan Comprehensive Plan

• Network for Southern Economic Mobility Report (NSEM) NSEM Report

2.    History, Management Experience and Performance

•    Project Name and Narrative

• Applicant, Principal or Entity

• Please describe your proposed project

• Project Budget to include funding resources

• Use of land, site control, project designs, affordable and total units

•    History managing LIHTC projects, examples of past projects (ideally, with contact information), non-LIHTC affordable housing projects, staff experience with LIHTC or other affordable housing projects.

•    Project Team, Organizational Chart, Company financials, Investors, Partners, etc. 

•    Prior development experience as it relates to the proposed project site.

•    Success with previous LIHTC projects in Athens-Clarke County or other communities.

3.    Local Partnerships

• Please describe local partnerships and involvement within Athens-Clarke County. 

• Submit copies of any formal agreements with Athens-Clarke County affordable housing stakeholders or other entities.

4.    Community Engagement

• Please submit a Community Engagement Plan describing how you will obtain Athens-Clarke County citizen input from residents affected by your proposed LIHTC project (relevant groups may include: current residents in proposed site of development/redevelopment, residents of surrounding neighborhoods, the Clarke County School District, community organizations, and any other relevant Athens-Clarke County stakeholders).

5.    Overall Desirability and Location

• Please describe the need for affordable housing in the area of your proposed site.

6.    Accessibility

• Please describe your proposed site’s proximity to public transportation and other amenities.

7.    Commitment to Diversity

• Please describe your affordable housing experience working with minority and women-owned businesses.

• Please describe your Section 3 contracting experience.

In order to thoroughly review all materials, the Athens GICH Committee requests that proposals (required: one hard copy and one digital copy on flash drive) be submitted no later than 5:00pm on Monday, February 22, 2021. The Athens GICH Committee will evaluate each submittal based on all applicable criteria included in the attached scoring rubric. 

Final applications to DCA are due on May 21, 2021.

Any questions should be directed to the Athens GICH Committee Chair, Hayley Banerjee, (706) 613-3155, [email protected], 375 Satula Avenue, Athens GA 30601. 

This letter and the grading rubric can also be found on our website at accgov.com/hcd.