Athens-Clarke County Government's Housing & Community Development department is reaching out to the public to weigh in on a significant funding application—this time a $5 million request from the HUD Preservation and Reinvestment Initiative for Community Enhancement (PRICE) competition that could transform the way local manufactured housing communities function, according to a release posted on the ACCGov website.
The funding is aimed at addressing several challenges faced by residents of manufactured homes, with a package that includes repairs, upgrades, and support for homeownership; the proposed use of funds encompasses the rehabilitation of occupied units, down payment aid, infrastructure enhancements, such as improved roads and utilities, and education on community-related issues, with a timeline open for public comment from June 21 through July 6, 2024, public input can be submitted via various channels including email at [email protected], phone calls to 706-613-3155 or even in person or by traditional mail addressed to their office at 375 Satula Avenue, Athens, GA 30601.
In formulating this initiative, HCD took into account the latest statistics from the ACCGov Planning Department which show the presence of around 2,300 manufactured homes positioned across 27 sites, these dwellings represent more than 4 percent of all housing units within the county's jurisdiction, clarifying the significant role they play in the local housing market.
The detailed aspects of the application are a direct response to identified obstacles—high maintenance costs, scarcity of financing options, infrastructure deficits, alongside combating the perception of poor quality associated with these homes; these targets are not only reflective of the housing needs but also are synchronized with recommendations stemming from the Affordable Housing Investment Strategy adopted by the Mayor and Commission last year, further aligning with broader strategic plans and reports that have recently underscored Athens' housing affordability problems," according to an official statement.
In early May, before this feedback phase kicked off, local authorities gave their nod of approval for the grant application, with the Mayor and Commission sanctioning the proposed grant request and the acceptance of the HUD funds if granted; these deliberations which occurred at the May 7 Voting Session and the prior April 16 Agenda Setting Session also opened the floor for an initial round of community voices to be heard and integrated into the application that's due to be finalized and submitted to HUD by the July 10, 2024 deadline.
