Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Tribute event highlights social progress

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2 January 2016 IN THE NEWS Community Done Right success stories are a result of local governments adopting a partnership attitude with DCA and with each other and are examples to follow for all Georgia communities. Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Tribute event highlights social progress DCA and the MLK Jr. Advisory Council honored the legendary leader of the Civil Rights Movement at Capitol celebration in January REGION 4: City of Griffin and community partners team up to bring a neighborhood back to life For several years the City of Griffin and the Griffin Housing Authority (GHA) have led a concerted effort to address blighted properties and lack of adequate housing. This effort is supported by a team of over 40 businesses and organizations, including the Spalding Collaborative (an association of local businesses and organizations), Southern Crescent Technical College, the Chamber of Commerce, Spalding Regional Hospital, Spalding County, and the Salvation Army. The team decided to focus on the Park District, which includes the Meriwether Homes public housing site and which The DCA-sponsored Martin Luther King, Jr. Advisory Council celebrated the life and contributions of the visionary civil rights leader with more than 250 guests and dignitaries on Friday, January 15, at Georgia's State Capitol building in Atlanta. Opening with musical selections by the Wadsworth Magnet School Orchestra and the Atlanta Boys Choir & Alumni, the 31st Annual

3 would have the greatest impact for the residents and the City of Griffin. They developed a plan to transform a blighted community and create a vital neighborhood of 300-plus affordable housing units. This plan would connect the residents to social programs, new transportation enhancements, improved educational platforms, create new economic and job opportunities, and dramatically improve the quality of housing in the community. The Oaks at Park Pointe development was the first phase of three that came out of the team's plan. Built in 1952, the site previously had 120 units of multi-family housing. The redevelopment created a new mixed-income housing development and addresses a major need identified in the City of Griffin's 2012 Comprehensive Plan. Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Tribute recognized the leader with appearances and challenging words from present-day leaders in government and in social change. Photo highlights: 1) "We are the world!" The Atlanta Boys Choir & Alumni set the tone for the MLK, Jr. Holiday Tribute. 2) Sen. Emanuel Jones and Lt. Governor Casey Cagle presented members of the King family with a proclamation signed by Gov. Nathan Deal. 3) Trailblazing civil rights activist Xernona Clayton inspired MLK, Jr. Holiday Tribute guests with her keynote remarks. 4) DCA Commissioner Camila Knowles and Sen. Jones recognized the work of Representative Dee Dawkins-Haigler, far left, as the Chair of the Georgia Legislative Black Caucus. 5) Sen. Jones, DCA Commissioner Knowles, Lt. Gov. Cagle, and members of MLK Jr. Advisory Council honored the City of Stockbridge for outstanding public service. The City also presented a new street sign honoring the legacy of M.L. King, Sr., father of MLK, Jr., with the Heritage Trail signage. BEFORE 6) The Martin Luther King High School Color Guard presented the flags to begin the celebration. DCA Housing leaders featured on CW69 Focus Atlanta talk show and in Affordable Housing Tax Credit Coalition video AFTER The Oaks opened in October 2015 and includes 84 affordable units. The townhomes are Earthcraft-certified for energy efficiency. The financing for the project included Low-Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC) from DCA, Federal Home Loan Bank Affordable Housing Program (AHP), and local housing authority and city funds. DCA Affordable Housing Program Specialist Philip Gilman shared with host Keisha Lancelin on the CW69 Focus Atlanta talk show in December how $25.8 million in federal tax credits were awarded in Georgia recently. A highly competitive program and the most successful one of its kind in the nation, Georgia DCA's Housing Tax Credit program promotes safe and affordable housing for families, for those in the workforce, and for those

4 The second phase, called The Iris at Park Pointe, will provide 85 units for senior citizens and caregivers once completed. The senior living facility will include an onsite wellness center and walking trail sponsored by the Salvation Army to support aging in place. The third phase in the Springhill area will provide for more than 100 additional affordable housing units and will expand beyond the current footprint of the Park Pointe redevelopment, connecting it with the park and medical districts. This phase will eliminate additional substandard housing and transform a blighted neighborhood into a community for low- to middle-income residents convenient to the medical district. The plan also includes investments to support neighborhood sustainability, increase access to high quality services, retail, and potential job opportunities within the Park District. The City has committed to over $675,000 in infrastructure improvements, which include sidewalks, curbs, refinishing streets, street lights, and other improvements to the Meriwether neighborhood. In addition, the Three Rivers Commission has begun the Park District Shuttle to provide transportation to the residents in this neighborhood with stops at the City Park, City Hall, the Spalding Hospital, as well as shopping stops. living with disabilities. The program keeps rent levels at a more manageable level, below the national average in fact, which helps families stretch their paychecks. Using the federal tax credits, DCA's Housing staff will work with investors and developers to build new and rehabilitate 33 energy-efficient properties across the state, with units ready for move-in during The developments will represent $330 million in investments across Georgia. Watch Philip Gilman's CW69 Focus Atlanta interview DCA Housing Finance & Development Division Director Laurel Hart was featured in a video developed by the Affordable Housing Tax Credit Coalition (AHTCC) and released in January across its social media platforms and website to promote the increase of opportunity for all citizens nationwide through the benefit of affordable housing. Founded in 1988, the AHTCC is a trade organization of housing professionals who advocate for affordable rental housing financed using the federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credit. AHTCC's for-profit and nonprofit members - including syndicators, investors, lenders, developers, legal and accounting professionals, and state allocating agencies like Georgia DCA - seek to preserve, expand and improve the Housing Credit and complementary programs through legislative outreach and education. For more information about the Affordable Housing Tax Credit Coalition, visit See Laurel Hart in the AHTCC promotional video here Georgia Main Street Program Launches New Website For more information on developments like this one as well as program opportunities offered through the Georgia Department of Community Affairs in Spalding County and the surrounding area, contact DCA Region 4 Community Services Division Representative Corinne Thornton at Corinne.Thornton@dca.ga.gov. DCA's Office of Downtown Development (ODD) launched an updated, improved and interactive new website to serve the Georgia Main Street

5 New Construction - CHIP funds may be used to build single family homes for lowto-moderate income home buyers. The application and instructions are available on the DCA website. A webinar with details about the application is scheduled for January 29 at 2:00 p.m. and will be archived to be viewed later. CONNECT WITH DCA Follow DCA and its affiliate programs on Social Media Important links: Webinar access information Webinar registration After registering, you will receive a confirmation containing information about joining the webinar. DCA on Facebook DCA on Twitter DCA on Instagram DCA on LinkedIn HomeSafe Georgia on Twitter Georgia Main Street on Facebook Questions about the grant or webinar, contact: Samanta Carvalho Community Development Specialist (404) Samanta.Carvalho@dca.ga.gov Previous issues of The DCA Newsletter Camila Knowles, Commissioner This is prepared and ed by the Georgia Department of Community Affairs. If you wish to be removed from the list, please be sure to click on the SafeUnsubscribe button below.

6 HUD Multifamily Housing SOUTHEAST REGIONAL NEWS Serving: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, Puerto Rico, Tennessee, and South Carolina JANUARY 2016 VOLUME 1, ISSUE 2 Inside this issue: Lead Hazards 2 Oakes at Park Pointe Office of Multifamily 3 Housing Programs Grant Specialists Notice H FY 2016 Loans Endorsed 5 Section 8 Renewal Guide Funding Specialists Opening Doors 6 SAHMA Meeting OCAFs Grant Funding 7 Landings at Cross Bayou Puerto Rico Desarrolla 8 Planning Grants Definition of Tuition Housing Notices Production Contacts 10 APPS COLA MF Seek and Find 11 A Note from the Editor 12 How to Join a ListServ Working Together Toward The Same Goal

7 Memphis Awarded $3.7 Million to Protect Children and Families from Lead and Other Home Hazards HUD's Region IV Administrator, Ed Jennings, Jr. and Office of Lead Hazard Reduction/Healthy Homes (OLHCHH) Director Matt Ammon, joined Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-9) and Memphis Mayor A C Wharton to present a symbolic HUD check for over $3,700,000. This is the seventh such grant for the City of Memphis and the presentation Tuesday recognized the success of the program in Memphis over the years. The grant will pay for the inspection of over 1200 homes and the removal of lead hazards in about 250 homes. The City works closely with its partners in the Shelby County Department of Health, the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation and numerous nonprofits in Memphis. One standout accomplishment of the Memphis programs is the training of over 22 contractors to perform lead abatement activities. Several of the contractors were present at Tuesday's event. The program is available to lowincome citizens in targeted zip codes. It also focuses on rental properties, especially important in a city where the majority of low-income residents rent their homes. The program is administered by the City's Division of Housing and Community Development which can be reached at (901) "Due to the excellent work of the City and its partners, thousands of children in Memphis can run faster, think smarter and dream bigger," said Jennings. "These grants are an investment in our children's futures. As public servants, we have no greater responsibility than to leave our kids a world that is better than what our parents gave us," said Matt Ammon, Director, OLHCHH. Totally, over $101 million was awarded to 32 city, county and state governments by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) in an effort to protect children and families from potentially dangerous lead-based paint and other health and safety hazards. The HUD Office of Lead Hazard Control and Healthy Homes provides funds to state and local governments to develop cost-effective ways to reduce lead-based paint hazards. In addition, the office enforces HUD's lead-based paint regulations, provides public outreach and technical assistance, and conducts technical studies to help protect children and their families from health and safety hazards in the home. Griffin s Opening of the Oakes at Park Pointe Brings Renewed Hope and Excitement HUD Southeast Deputy Regional Administrator Willie Taylor joined City of Griffin Mayor Douglas Hollberg and Congressman Lynn Westmoreland (R-GA 3rd District) and other local dignitaries October 26, 2015, in recognizing the opening of the Oakes at Park Pointe. Development of the new housing community involved the demolition of the Meriwether Homes, which had been on the site since "The City of Griffin through its commitment to those we mutually serve has been able to change the landscape of the city with the historical development of the Oakes at Park Pointe, a mixed income state of the art, housing development available to low income families and the elderly," said Taylor. "This is a moment in which the citizens of Griffin can be truly proud of and appreciate, as it will make a significant difference in so many lives in the community as well as the economy." The three phase development area will create a new mixed-income housing development which emulates the success of larger cities with useful state of the art amenities. Phase I involves the new construction of 84 family rental units in 14 buildings. The units consist of 48-2 bedroom apartments and 36 3 bedroom apartments. The funding PAGE 2 programs included are LIHTC and RAD 60% / 50%. Another major accomplishment worth noting is that site work is sensitive to the eco structure of the area. The city is working with developers that are seeking certification for both the EarthCraft Communities and EarthCraft Multifamily programs. This speaks volumes to the contemporary approach Griffin has taken regarding energy conservation and sustainability of the community as well. The overall quality of life enhancements in the new construction include a new community and leasing center, a picnic area, a maintenance area, and a computer room.

8 RENTAL ASSISTANCE DEMONSTRATION Summer 2016 Issue 18 U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Secretary Julián Castro The affordable housing crisis is growing. RAD is part of the solution. Secretary Julián Castro Director s Corner It s summer, and the water is great! If you ve hesitated to put your toe in, this newsletter has some tips and ideas for those considering RAD as a housing preservation strategy. We talk a lot about RAD for public housing units the waiting list and the application process but please don t forget RAD for Rent Supp/RAP properties or Mod Rehab (including SRO) properties. In this era of ever-in-demand affordable housing, preserving at-risk units is incredibly important and we can use the help getting the word out. Whether you work with public housing, Rent Supp/RAP, Section 236 mortgages or Mod Rehab, RAD may be a way to refresh an aging property submit an application and start the conversation! Tom Davis, Director, Office of Recapitalization Don t Wait! Apply for RAD Today With the current RAD conversion authority of 185,000 units reached and the RAD waitlist hovering close to 16,000 units, many PHAs may wonder if now is the right time to apply. RAD applications are still being accepted and HUD is encouraging PHAs to apply. Read on for reasons why you should submit an application for RAD today: The waitlist is moving! Since the publication of the waitlist in the fall of 2015, over 6,230 units have been awarded CHAPs off the waiting list through August 1st (approximately 623 units/month) and HUD anticipates issuing HAPs for approximately 5,000 additional units over the coming weeks. At the same time, new applications do keep coming in so delay does influence your ability to get off the waiting list. Priority is given for certain types of conversions. PHAs that intend to use RAD to redevelop obsolete housing with demolition and new construction receive top priority on the waitlist, with other priority tiers based on the PHA s proposed level of reinvestment in the property. The time an application will stay on the waiting list varies based on the priority tiers. Funding levels are more predictable. Converting to RAD provides projects with predictable Section 8 funding, annual operating cost adjustment factors (OCAF), and no limitation on use of project cash flow. Public Housing capital needs continue to grow. RAD enables PHAs to access private debt and equity needed to finance short term and long term capital needs. You can apply for RAD now and then continue to explore with residents and with potential lenders or investors about how a RAD conversion can address immediate and future capital needs. Demonstrate your interest in RAD. We regularly hear about PHAs that are thinking about RAD but haven t yet applied. We also regularly hear that there s no reason to raise the cap because almost everyone who is interested is being accommodated. There s no need to wait to let us know you want to participate. The RAD Application is not a commitment. If you want to apply for RAD but haven t worked through all the specifics of converting your property, that s okay! In fact, we want you to apply when your ideas are still taking shape. The RAD application is just the starting point. Whether you start spending time and money on due diligence while still on the waiting list or only after receiving a CHAP, the conversion process itself allows time for PHAs to consult with the residents, iron out the details and formulate a thoughtful conversion plan. The Office of Recapitalization has technical assistance available to assists PHAs in reviewing their existing public housing inventory and devising a strategy for RAD conversion. rad@hud.gov to let HUD know of your interest in converting and to request assistance. HUD RAD Newsletter, Summer 2016, Issue 18, Page 1

9 Project Highlight : The Oaks at Park Pointe, Griffin, GA Also known as Meriwether Homes, The Oaks at Park Pointe was recently recognized by the Affordable Housing Tax Credit Coalition (AHTCC) as a recipient of a prestigious Charles L. Edson Tax Credit Excellence Award in the Public Housing category. AHTCC is a trade organization of housing partners who advocate for affordable housing preservation. Each year, the Edson Awards recognize tax-credit developments at the forefront of creating stronger, healthier communities nationwide. This transaction was one of the early RAD 1st Component conversions to close under RAD in late The project entailed the demolition and the rebuilding of new housing on the existing site. At project completion, the 84-unit complex consists of 15 two-story townhouse-style apartment buildings, a new playground, and a state-of-the-art on-site leasing/community center with a full kitchen and a computer room. RAD Stats As Of 8/1/2016 RADOMETER Total construction activity leveraged (closed projects, 1st component) $2,425,832,225 RAD 1st Component Units Projects Active CHAPs 94, Multiphase/Portfolio Reservations 44, Closed Conversions 36, Waiting List/Applications Under Review 16, Total 191,453 1,614 Statutory Cap 185,000 N/A RAD 2nd Component Units Projects Active Conversions 10, Closed Conversions 19, For more information about RAD please visit our website and resource desk. For specific questions please contact the RAD team at RAD@hud.gov. Click here to sign up for the RAD Mailing List! HUD RAD Newsletter, Summer 2016, Issue 18, Page 4

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16 THE PARK DISTRICT REDEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE Seven years ago, the City was facing significant challenges to its communities with an abundance of blighted properties and poor quality housing, very limited community support programs, economic deficiencies, lacking educational programs and schools, inadequate recreation, outdated infrastructure, and limited transportation amenities in its communities. It was clear that we needed to address the problems involving different facets (neighborhood, social and service programs, education, and housing) in a concerted effort with other community groups and organizations. Spearheaded by the City and the Housing Authority of the City of Griffin (GHA), a unique vision was developed to address the community problems in an all-inclusive way. A community outreach program was begun to identify city organizations and area leaders who could work together to solve the variety of challenges. Resident leaders were contacted and encouraged to participate in the decision A comprehensive team that of over 40 businesses, organizations and individuals joined together to attack the challenges. The partners include the Spalding Collaborative, and Partners for a Prosperous Griffin Spalding which includes the Southern Crescent Technical College, the Chamber of Commerce, Spalding Regional Hospital, Spalding County, the Salvation Army, as well as GHA and the City of Griffin. The collaborative of organizations took the next steps to begin a holistic redevelopment to address these challenges and change the future of the City and its residents. The Team of leaders and community groups have been meeting together for the last five years, fine tuning the mission, identifying strategic activities, identifying funding sources, and tasking each member to implement the plan. The Team made a command decision to focus on a specific neighborhood that would have the greatest impact for the residents of that area as well as for the City of Griffin. The decision was to focus on the Park District including the Meriwether Homes public housing site. The transformation of the Park District would take a blighted community with an obsolete public housing development, and create a vital neighborhood, connecting the residents to social programs, new transportation enhancements, improved educational platforms, create new economic and job opportunities, and dramatically improve the quality of housing in the community. The community support component of our plan addresses weaknesses identified in the community through regular resident meetings, public hearings, and community outreach. These include programs to increase the economic stability and self-sufficiency of residents, school readiness, high career ready graduation rates, and dramatically improve health and safety for everyone that live in this community. An extraordinary amount of communication and discussion with residents and the community has taken place over the last five years. The extensive resident meetings, design charrettes, and public hearings were held to assure that first the needs and challenges of the residents were identified. The meetings brought out the needs in the neighborhood, improvements to transportation and what improvements were needed in the neighborhood (what were the area s assets and challenges), and how best to address them. Our discussions also addressed education programs and support services.

17 As we continued on our meetings over the years, we focused that our plan was based on those resident needs and that the community had meaningful and continued input as our plans moved forward. The public design charrettes allowed families and elderly to discuss a wide range of programs including energy efficiency programs (Earthcraft), building design, apartment layouts, site amenities, as well as safety considerations. The residents provided direct and useful input to help make key decisions on the redevelopment. As part of our approach, we had the residents involved through the planning process, and we will continue as we complete the vision. The discussions also highlighted relocation, and other life-style changes. UGA was involved in the process and is currently completing the first of a five-year research study of the various impacts on families formerly living at Meriwether Homes as compared to a control group consisting of families residing at Fairmont Homes and families currently on the GHA waiting list. The baseline survey and data collection began with the first required follow-up of re-located residents. The study will measure those who return and those who do not return. Data gleaned from interviews with the residents further assists us with identifying the types of activities, programs and services they want and need. Community Programs Improvements The Spalding Collaborative will lead these activities with a strong emphasis placed on children and youth and education. Together with the other partners, Spalding Collaborative hopes to build and strengthen family and community partnerships that promote student leadership and healthy youth development in the schools serving the Meriwether Homes development. Beginning in 2010, the Team, led by Spalding Collaborative, began to implement the Educational Prosperity Initiative. This initiative believes that 'bricks and mortar' are simply not enough to effect change; rather a change in the beliefs, attitudes and expectations of those most affected by the change must occur in tandem with the housing improvements. The Educational Prosperity Initiative provides the following for our families: Backpack Food for Kids Program Griffin-Spalding Mentoring Program Moore & Anne Street Elementary Afterschool Tutoring Program CHARMS afterschool program at Meriwether Homes Adult Literacy / GED Classes at Fairmont Community Center Scholarships for Young Scholars Program at UGA - Griffin Campus Healthy Life Community Gardens Scholarships for Kids University Summer Program at UGA This program has expanded over the last five years, through the identification of grassroots leaders, including current and former residents, and area property owners, to build their capacity to take ownership of the movement, linking them with community resources and providing them technical assistance.

18 The community will be realizing dramatically improved educational opportunities, a very safe home environment, improved health, and the elimination of poverty none of which would be possible without strong community partnerships from GHA, the City and this community that support our goals. This is a key component to the success of the Park District and the Meriwether Homes Redevelopment effort. Housing Development The Housing component of our plan will redevelop the Meriwether Homes public housing project, a 120-unit obsolete public housing project nestled in the center of the Park District neighborhood. The plan was; to demolish the public housing site, secure vacant property and demolish blighted housing in the surrounding neighborhood (Spring Hill), and redevelop with a mixed-income community in new, green and energy efficient, up to date housing. To date, GHA has demolished the Meriwether Homes site, and with its partners have secured more than 50 properties, and with City funding, have demolished approximately 20 severely distressed homes and secured many vacant properties in the area. GHA and its development partner have secured tax credits for the first of three phases that are currently planned for redevelopment. The first phase provides for 84 family units, the second phase will provide 85 units for elderly, and the third phase will provide for over 100 additional affordable housing units. The plan is to develop a total of approximately 300 mixed-income housing units that will serve as a catalyst for additional market rate housing and economic development opportunities. Phase 1 (Oaks at Park Pointe) This 84 unit multifamily project is expected to be completed at the end of Fifty percent of the units will be subsidized. The others will rent at tax credit rents. To date, GHA has already received an astonishing 170 pre-applications for the 84 units of the Oaks at Park Pointe. Phase 2 (Iris at Park Pointe) of the Meriwether Homes redevelopment will result in 85 senior housing units including 2-bedroom grandparent units and caregiver units for assisted living. The 3- story senior living facility will include an on-site wellness center and walking trail sponsored by Salvation Army to support aging in place. Phase 3 (Springhill area) will expand beyond the current footprint of the Parke Pointe redevelopment, connecting it with the park and medical districts. This phase will eliminate additional substandard housing and transform a blighted neighborhood into a community for lowto middle-income residents convenient to the medical district. It is expected that the redevelopment of these 3 phases will spur other redevelopment in the area along with economic growth. Neighborhood Improvements The Neighborhood component of our plan builds on rich cultural and physical assets by making critical infrastructure and other investments to support neighborhood sustainability, increasing access to high quality services, retail, and the resulting job opportunities, and reinvigorating the Park District. The City has committed to over $675,000 in infrastructure improvements to start the dramatic change. The improvements include sidewalks, curbs, refinishing streets, street lights, and other improvements to the Meriwether neighborhood.

19 In addition, the Three Rivers Commission has started a new Park District Shuttle to provide transportation to the residents in this neighborhood with stops at the City Park, City Hall, Meriwether Homes, the Spalding Hospital, as well as shopping stops. The Plan is to create a place-based transformation of an important neighborhood, radiating new health into the whole of our fair city. Griffin Spalding County is the 12 th Archway Community in Georgia. Founded in 2005, the Archway Partnership builds on UGA s land grant mission by taking a grassroots approach to address community and economic development needs, as identified by that community. Community leaders in Griffin Spalding County have demonstrated a commitment to working together on community needs and the partnership with UGA will enhance those efforts. In the Archway Partnership, the community drives the priority needs process through an executive committee made up of local citizens and community leaders. An Archway professional, based in the community, identifies resources at UGA, as well as other institutions, that can be tapped to address those needs. Residents will have many opportunities to participate in a public meetings and listening sessions. Attached we have provided a couple of examples demonstrating a very small portion of the many meetings and activities that have transpired over the past five years. To further illustrate the depth of the partnerships involved in this initiative, we have also attached the award notification for the Strengthening Communities Fund (SCF) grant award and a sampling of on-going activities. Also attached is notification of our award of being a Certified Work Ready Community from the Governor s Office of Workforce Development. This redevelopment initiative is successful because of the many committed partners actively involved in making it a comprehensive, all-inclusive plan that addresses the complex issues in the community and people s lives. Recognition and Awards Recognizing the Griffin Housing Authority for their Educational Prosperity Initiative and the benefits it provides, GHA has been recognized as an affordable housing leader in the nation. GHA was one of nineteen to receive the National Award of Merit in Washington, DC by the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials (NAHRO). Furthermore, within the next week GHA will be one of three agencies to be awarded the Silver Star Award at the NAHRO Southeast Regional Conference along with Tampa and Charlotte. Replicability What makes this approach truly unique is the extensive outreach to the community which brought together the residents as well as over 40 area businesses, local organizations, and the public institutions. This initiative is successful due to the exceptional team of businesses, organizations and individuals who joined together to attack the challenges. Because of the awards that the Griffin Housing Authority has been awarded through NARO, GHA is partnering with nine other housing authorities in nine counties throughout the state of Georgia to replicate the program. The replicability of this approach is currently underway as these collaborations are already underway in other parts of the state. The first key to replication is considering/approaching all aspects of community redevelopment. By considering the various aspects of community redevelopment including community programs, education, infrastructure, recreational amenities, public services, and housing together, the

20 development allows for the creation of a new neighborhood with the welfare of the families and residents as the focal point. This initiative combines a physical redevelopment along with community and education programs to help families and seniors, and neighborhood improvements. The redevelopment plan considers community programs including early childhood education programs essential to the long term success of the development. The initiative brings a brighter future for our residents a future with decent, safe, affordable housing and the promise of employment in personally and financially rewarding work. The second key to replication is extensive outreach. Cities looking to transform their communities must first begin conversations with the community stakeholders, businesses, organizations, leaders and key individuals who have an interest in transforming their community and investing in people s lives. The level of outreach must bring all significant organizations and businesses to the table, and at the same time bringing the residents into the process. The community outreach program succeeded by reaching out to our residents and at the same time with community organizations and area leaders who would then all work together to solve the variety of challenges. The involvement of the residents and organizations must be organized, and structured to allow for visioning, planning, tasks, and follow up. As these key groups and individuals come together, the synergy of the collaboration results in creativity and identification of resources to create the necessary goals and see them to fruition. As a result, a unique vision was developed to address the community problems in an all-inclusive way. The community residents have been involved and active from the on-set of the discussion and planning. This enables them to have their voice heard and be an active participant in their community. SUMMARY With the other public and privately funded initiatives that have been established through the efforts of this collaboration of organizations, GHA will revitalize an area of the city that, up until recently, has seen a steady decline in real estate values and private sector investment. This community development effort has created a coalition of supporters that allow for smooth, efficient, and successful redevelopment in the Park District and Meriwether Homes Neighborhood and could be successfully accomplished in other parts of the Griffin as well as other cities who have a core group of community stakeholders that are interested in pooling their strengths and resources to transform their community. This team has generated a consensus building process that serves as a catalyst for our community as it moves on this three phased redevelopment effort. The end result will be a new neighborhood, improved opportunities for our children, significantly improve the character and quality of housing throughout the neighborhood, and most importantly, better living environment for residents.

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22 January 19, 2016 Robert Dull, CEO Griffin Housing Authority 518 Nine Oaks Drive Griffin, GA Re: Community Garden and Composting Dear Mr. Dull: UGA Extension is excited about continuing its partnership with the Griffin Housing Authority (GHA). We are eager to participate with the community in the opening of a new community garden in the Park District neighborhood. The UGA Extension team has been very successful and the community has benefited from the Healthy Life Community Garden (HLCG) in the Fairmont neighborhood. We look forward to expansion that will benefit the residents and community of Park District. We suggest following the model, used at the HLCG, which combines Spalding County Extension teaching and leadership with the Park District residents desire to learn and grow. We are eager to begin conversations with the residents and help develop garden governance, plans, and goals. The new Park District community garden will be located as close to the Park District as possible and will be as big as the participants want and the site permits. The garden will include vegetables, berries, flower and pollinator plantings, and community composting. We are ready to start as soon as possible. UGA Extension is committed to working with GHA and the community to provide educational opportunities, improve health and eliminate poverty as families work and grow together. The new community garden in the Park District neighborhood is an exciting opportunity to continue the transformation of the entire area. Sincerely, Dr. Ellen M. Bauske Program Coordinator 1109 Experiment Street Griffin, GA ebauske@uga.edu Phone:

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25 P Y fr,1,- Pr 4r S P.O. Btnu Civi,,fA,vv, CiA June 8, 2015 Laurel Hart, Division Director of Housing Finance & Development Housing Finance Development Division Georgia Department of Community Affairs 60 Executive Park South, N.E. Atlanta, GA RE: The Park District Initiative & Meriwether Homes Redevelopment Meriwether Redevelopment Phase II 426 S. 15 1h Street Griffin, GA Dear Ms. Hart: Knowing that meaningful and sustained community development could take place only if we came together, in 2007 key stakeholders in Griffin-Spalding County (G-S) began to tackle the barriers to prosperity by bridging differences and taking on strategies that represented a broad community resolve. We recognized we needed a community culture that takes on the hard issues by supporting continuous improvement, clear and constant communication, and collaborative partnering between all community players and institutions. We have developed this culture through action-oriented strategies, and through the realization that when one institution in the community faces a serious problem, the entire community must recognize its stake in the solution. Eleven entities in our community pledged to come together to support a collaborative process to deal with issues of poverty in Griffin Spalding County. These include the University of Georgia, the Spalding County Collaborative Authority for Families and Children, the City of Griffin, Spalding County, the Griffin-Spalding Chamber of Commerce, Griffin-Spalding County Schools, Southern Crescent Technical College, Spalding Regional Medical Center, Griffin Housing Authority, Spalding County Economic Development Authority and West Central Georgia Workforce Development Corporation. The convening committee, Partners for a Prosperous Griffin-Spalding County appointed a steering committee that worked with citizens of the community to identify the most pressing problems and challenges, and over a two-year period developed collaborative strategies for addressing them. The steering committee utilizes the expertise of a Community Resource Team made up of interested community service organizations, including the University to assist its work. Thus, the process to be used to arrive at strategies to attack poverty in our community was created. As part of the redevelop plan, we will create a formal action agenda for community change strategies and community-based interventions has been developed through an on-going grass-roots process with substantial financial and in-kind support. While activities are carried out by a variety of organizations and organization types, Spalding Collaborative facilitates the execution of the agenda including, but not limited to: Organizing and/or coordinating activities pursuant to community-driven plans Administering any funding or other benefits that are conferred for such plans Tracking outcomes, periodically reporting to participants and funders Participating in evaluation activities as requested by funders Provide certification to other organizations applying for grants and other benefits that would advance the community-driven revitalization plan fn' THI!, UNIVUlSITY OP GBOR.OIA w COLLEGE OP AGRICULTURAL & BNVIRONMBNTAL SOUTEN Clf.SC 111 '. IHUIUUMllll l.q J Spalding Regional Hospital UALDllllt.NIALrH GRIFFIN-SPALDING DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY 'WCgworkforce Development Corporation 1710 Highway 16 Wes P.O. Box 97, Griffin. Georala "T/Jere rs notllmg new about poverty. What 1s new,s tllal we now have the tecllmques and the resources to get nd of poverty. The real question 1s whether we /Jave the will" --Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr.

26 The Park District Initiative and the Meriwether Homes Redevelopment are key to this community. The member organizations of the Partners for a Prosperous Griffin-Spalding County fully support this effort and are committed to contributing resources and advising on the direction of re-vitalization and re-development. Sincerely, rous Griffin Spalding County A formal action agenda for community change strategies and,community based interventions will be developed through a grass-roots process. The undersigned are committed to providing the leadership for the implementation of the recommendations of the Partners for a Prosperous Griffin-Spalding County. Dated and Signed October 17, :- ; _,,,. Griffin-Spalding Chamber of Commerce epre ting Gri ;; tollege Re Medkal Center

27 September 1, 2009 Partners for a Prosperous Griffin-Spalding County: Creating an Action Agenda for our Future Recommendations for Action The Griffin-Spalding County community faces the kinds of issues common to many communities. In short, poverty is prevalent in our community. For example, Griffin-Spalding County s poverty rates are higher than state averages; nearly one-third its households exist on low-wage jobs; it is a housing stressed community; both its high school drop-out rate and the rate of teen pregnancy are problematic; unemployment rates are above state averages. We know that for meaningful and sustained community development to take place, the Griffin-Spalding County community must come together to tackle these problems by bridging differences and taking on strategies that represent a broad community resolve. What is needed is a community culture that takes on the hard issues by supporting continuous improvement, clear and constant communication, and collaborative partnering between all community players and institutions. This culture can be developed through action-oriented strategies, and through the realization that when one institution in the community faces a serious problem, the entire community must recognize its stake in the solution. Over the last two years, people throughout the community, from all walks of life, have come together to learn about, to think about, and to act on the issues surrounding poverty in Griffin-Spalding County. On April 3, 2008 approximately 250 people gathered in the Griffin Auditorium to begin a process to address issues of poverty in our community. At that meeting, PPGSC became a grassroots effort to bring together the ideas, enthusiasm, and concerns that can help make this a more prosperous area to live, raise families and thrive. As a result of that meeting, 171 people volunteered to be on at least one of the issue committees that were being formed. Of those, 152 noted more than

28 one committee for which they would volunteer. The issue committees were established by a steering committee that held a number of sessions in During the discussions, the steering committee dealt with the question: what key issues must be addressed in order to solve the problem of poverty in Griffin-Spalding County? After sorting through the issues that volunteers felt had to be addressed in our community, eight committees were established. These included committees on Education, Economic Development, Community Mindset, Housing, Health, Transportation, Family/Children and Youth Services, and Life Skills. These committees have worked toward producing this set of recommendations to be presented to the steering committee and eventually to the sponsoring organizations. Poverty is not a unique problem to the Griffin-Spalding County community. In fact, as we look around similar communities in Georgia and throughout the US we find hope in the willingness of people and organizations to openly discuss and tackle issues of poverty. Yet, we also find that while poverty is not unique to our area, there are unusual and difficult circumstances that have to be addressed before poverty can be defeated in Griffin-Spalding County. We have identified three particular issues that, combined, need special attention: the high school drop out rates, births to single mothers, and the high rate of rental housing in the City of Griffin. First, although the Griffin-Spalding County School System, along with numerous partners in the community, has made substantial progress in reducing the number of high school drop outs, the rate is still above the state average and well above national averages. It is so well-known that it is a cliché: to get a good job, you need a good education. Like the fact that smoking causes cancer, everyone knows that remaining in school at least through high school graduation is vital to staying out of low-wage America. The community s future depends on the human capital generated through an educated work force. Students who don t finish high school are four times more likely 2

29 than college graduates to be unemployed. They are far more likely to end up in prison or on welfare, and they die, on average, at a younger age. Beyond individual costs, dropouts take a huge toll on societal costs, in lost tax revenue and increased expenditures for health care, corrections, food stamps, subsidized housing and public assistance. Thus many of the recommendations to follow address educational needs from birth through adulthood. Second, the increase in births to single mothers has recently become a national concern. The Centers for Disease Control recently reported that 40% of American children were born to single mothers in 2007, up from 11% in In Griffin-Spalding County it has been a long festering problem. Nearly two-thirds of all births in this county are to single mothers---the rate for minority populations is over eight in ten. While single mothers are perfectly capable of raising children, the situation often presents a new set of problems, beginning with family income. Not all families headed by single mothers are in poverty but obstacles facing these families are immense. Boys who are raised by single mothers are twice as likely to end up in prison by age 32, girls who are born to single mothers are three times as likely to have a teenage pregnancy, and teens born to single mothers are twice as likely to drop out of school compared to those who are raised by two parents. With such a high rate of single mother births in this community, poverty will be intractable until this issue is addressed. Third, the housing situation, particularly in the City of Griffin, presents unique problems. Affordable and quality housing is a problem in all communities that face poverty. What sets Griffin apart is the high level of families who rent rather than own their housing. Within the city upwards of 80% of the housing stock is rental property. In many neighborhoods it is 100%. Only two in ten families live in houses that they own. This means neighborhood revitalization is difficult when the population has less of a stake in their environment. There are substantial internal and external benefits of homeownership. Homeownership creates social capital through good citizenship in the 3

30 form of voting frequency, better environments for child-raising and the value of houses in a neighborhood. Higher value homes translate into higher property tax revenues and thus more resources for schools and other services. Addressing these three features of Griffin-Spalding County is at the foundation of any effort to reduce poverty. In addition, we must also deal with the need for well-paid and permanent jobs, adequate health care and transportation as well as the need for people to have the life skills to be productive citizens and employees. The recommendations that follow are intended to deal with education, single mother births, housing and the other areas that must be part of any effort to reduce poverty in our community. EDUCATION The education of our children is not something that is conducted only from 8am to 3pm within the walls of our schools. Educating our children, getting them to as least high school graduation, and helping them become productive citizen s takes the efforts of the whole community. We must mobilize the community to help students succeed through a variety of large and small efforts, from community centers, to after school programming to parental involvement to making sure all of our schools make adequate yearly progress. We recognize that many of the following recommendations are currently being undertaken. From preschool to adulthood, our recommendations include: A. Preschool (birth to age 5) 1. Strengthen and increase funding and participation in gateway to parenting programs such as First Steps (sponsored by Spalding Collaborative through Prevent Child Abuse Spalding) and Love & Logic programs, provided by the McIntosh Trail Community Service Board.. 4

31 2. Provide child enrichment centers at: Griffin Tech, UGA Griffin, and in the high schools (high school centers would provide for the children of teenage parents as well as guidance and learning for the high school students). 3. Increase access to quality childcare for birth through Pre-K. Presently there are no Centers of Distinction in Spalding County. We recommend assisting current day-care centers in become Centers of Distinction. This could be done by encouraging civic clubs and faith communities to adopt early care centers and family care homes. Adoption would include providing resources, improving facilities, and covering costs of seeking accreditation. 4. Work to eliminate waiting lists for the public Pre-K classes in our elementary schools. 5. Expand the UGA Math and Parent Partnerships to include all elementary schools. 6. Expand the Parent/Community University program in the middle schools to increase parent/community awareness and involvement, and to address perceptions about middle schools. 7. Working with graduation coaches at the middle schools and high schools, establish mentoring programs to build relationships and provide & tutoring. 8. More supervised after school programs need to be provided to middle school students. 9. Work with the local school system to offer technical certificates to high school seniors through the Dual Enrollment HOPE program. This will allow high school graduates to be trained with a technical skill so that he/she can enter the job market upon graduation with some job skills training. (We can no longer separate the responsibilities between education, workforce training, and economic development.) 10. Bring the GED to neighborhoods where it is needed. 11. Identify all of the groups/agencies, etc. who are addressing soft skills (i.e. interviewing, communication, commitment, teamwork) and hard skills (i.e. reading, writing, math, technical skills) training so that we will not duplicate services and can be 5