STATE OF GEORGIA Department of Community Affairs Georgia

STATE OF GEORGIA Department of Community Affairs Georgia Rental Assistance (GRA) Program State of Georgia Homeowner Assistance Fund Tonya Cureton Curry Deputy Commissioner, Housing

GRA Program Overview

Program Background – GRA The Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA) is a state agency that supports communities (including local government officials, individuals and families) with job creation and business development, avenues for safe and affordable housing, and community development. GEORGIA RENTAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (GRA) State of Georgia received received 552M in stimulus funds through the federal Emergency Rental Assistance Program under ERA1 Georgia received an additional 437M in stimulus funds through the federal Emergency Rental Assistance Program under ERA2 Funds are intended to provide relief to landlords and tenants who are behind on rental and utility payments due to or during the coronavirus pandemic Visit http://georgiarentalassistance.ga.gov to apply or mail in a paper application

How to Apply for GRA DCA started accepting applications on March 8, 2021 DCA has an online application for landlords and individuals to apply to receive funding to bring past-due rent and utility balances current http://georgiarentalassistance.ga.gov

Financial Assistance Provided for GRA The Georgia Rental Assistance Program provides financial assistance to eligible tenants, their landlords, and utility providers to cover rent arrears, current and future rent payments, and utility arrears payments. What Assistance Is Provided? Past Due Support Future Support Up to 18 months of rental and utility assistance can be provided Amount of forward rent is limited to 3 months at this time No arrearages may be addressed prior to March 13, 2020 Future rental assistance cannot be provided unless the arrearage is also addressed Assistance for future rent payments, where no back rent is owed at the time of application, is not being accepted at this time Total months of assistance including arrears and future support cannot exceed 18 months Future utility payments are not being made at this time

Eligibility for Assistance – GRA Who is eligible for assistance? A renter household living in Georgia which meets the following conditions: Earning no more than 80 percent of the current Area Median Income (AMI) for the county or Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) of residence as determined by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Income eligibility may be based upon the household’s total income for 2020 or its monthly income at the time of the application Has either: Qualified for unemployment benefits, OR have experienced a loss or reduction in household income, incurred significant costs, or experienced other financial hardship during or due, directly or indirectly, to COVID–19, which the applicant must attest in writing Can demonstrate a risk of experiencing homelessness or housing instability by providing: An eviction notice A past rent notice A past due utility notice

GRA Program Data Applications Approved for Payment to Date: 4,950 Total Payments Made to Date: 15,845,000 (as of 8/5/2021)

GRA Contact Information Daphne M. Walker Division Director Housing Assistance Division [email protected] Georgia Rental Assistance Program Application Portal www.georgiarentalassistance.ga.gov Email Us At: [email protected]

Mortgage Assistance Program Overview

State of Georgia Homeowner Assistance Fund US Treasury Department allocated 9.9 billion to states and territories through the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 Georgia’s allocation was 354M The Department of Community Affairs will administer the State of Georgia Homeowner Assistance Fund Treasury has not yet opened the portal for states to submit their program plans Georgia is ready to submit our plan as soon as the Treasury Portal opens To be added to the notification list when the program opens, please email [email protected]