Georgia Initiative for Community Housing. GICH Work Plan Report February 25, 2013

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1 GICH Work Plan Report February 25, 2013

2 1. Identify opportunities at churches, businesses, and other locations to share housing activities. Flyers, posters, and signs places in stores, city hall, the library and letters mailed to all churches. All material also printed in Spanish. GICH Retreat presentation presented to Wadley City Council and all subsequent GICH events. Held Housing Fair in October to inform the community of the opportunities available. Surveys to assess the needs of the community were completed by the approximately 75 attendees. Home loans, down payment assistance, affordable housing and grants for repairs were identified as the greatest needs. Representatives from DCA, USDA, EOA and veteran program were in attendance. Housing Education Fair April 20,2013

3 2. Public Relations and Marketing Revisited Mission. It now reads: To leave an inheritance by developing and beautifying the city of Wadley providing support and assistance to families and individuals with housing needs Team logo continues to be a work in progress We have a strong relationship with the local newspaper and utilize the local announcement channel on TV and the local radio station Social media and website to be completed with the assistance of our partnership with Georgia Client Council A veterans group has been organized in Wadley providing local veterans with housing info

4 3. Designate facility to house housing programs and resources Housing programs and resources will be housed in the former Wadley Middle School which is owned by the city 4. Feasibility Study and Housing Assessment Funding continues to be an obstacle. We continue to seek resources to fund this project. Goal is to be completed by September Retreat 5. Build relationship with financial institutions Local Queensborough Bank manager is a member of our GICH Team. Wells Fargo, SunTrust, and local Regions and FirstState relationship building is in progress

5 6. Partner with business community to create a collaborative task force A Business Luncheon was held in November with 36 persons in attendance representing ten local businesses. A survey was completed by all in attendance. Business owners were impressed with the goals and progress of the and agreed to partner with our initiative

6 7. Teambuilding Leadership and Communication Training will be provided to the GICH Team on March16, 2013 by the Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce a GICH Team partner Judy Jones and Alan McGregor of U.S. Endowment for Forestry and Communities has agreed to become member of our team A representative from the city Water and Sewer Department has been added to the team The Georgia Client Council continues to provide training and teambuilding resources 8. Homebuyer Education Training Tina Hutcheson, our DCA representative will inform us of the next available training so that members of the team will have the opportunity to receive training

7 9. Address Renters Rights Utilize DCA resources for assistance as we work toward the goal for Bedingfield and Calhoun Street as target area for new housing area Housing Assessment and Feasibility Study will address the goal 11. Improve gateway to city Wadley has a DOT GATEway Grant available to improve the north and south gateways The Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce has also offered assistance with this project 12. List of Resources and Developers for future projects Currently assembling a database for future use utilizing all available resources

8 13.Code Enforcement Research Leaving a n Inheritance Wadley city codes have been amended by by the city council and the position for a Code Enforcement Officer has been announced. Person chosen must become state certified Members of the GICH team visited the Athens Clark County Building Permits & Inspection Department in partnership with the Georgia Client Council Consulted with the Washington, Georgia Code Enforcement Officer. Community meetings are planned to inform citizens of amended codes and to introduce new Code Enforcement Officer

9 14.Create Land Bank Creation of a Land Bank is a long term goal for the 15. Field Trips and Workshops Two team members attended the CHIP Workshop. The CHIP grant was submitted to renovate 7 houses Two members attended the CDBG Workshop. Wadley will submit application for a water and sewer project Team visited the Athens Land Trust in Athens, GA

10 Leaving Wadley a GICH Legacy Team Visit with the Georgia Client Council The Athens Housing Authority Hancock Community Development Corp. Habitat for Humanity The networking was excellent!

11 The has developed the following new partnerships: Republic Sanitation Company Georgia Conference of Black Mayors Jefferson County Developmental Authority Development Authority of Wadley, GA Norfolk Southern Railway U.S. Endowment for Forestry and Communities The has been inspired by the work in progress in the city which includes a new City hall, streetscape project on Main and Butts Streets, water and sewer infrastructure in the city, And the removal of a dilapidated commercial building

12 Wadley, Georgia The Best Place to Live