Many families work hard and dream of owning a home one day. Through our ACT I Homes program, many moderate-income, first-time homeowners now have the opportunity to buy new, modern houses at an affordable price. Our ACT I Homes program opened the door to affordable homeownership with value for buyers and the community.

Homeownership contributes in the creation of healthy, viable neighborhoods. Our ACT I Homes program spearheaded new construction for in-town neighborhoods and has positioned us in the forefront of creating homeownership opportunities. Using funds from Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) and HOME funds administered by Athens-Clarke County Department of Human and Economic Development (HED), the Athens Housing Authority has worked to revitalize neighborhoods in the community. This has resulted in the construction of new homes in established neighborhoods in East Athens and the Hancock Ave. area. To date, 22 homes have been built through this program.

Who Is a Typical ACT I Homes Buyer?

ACT I Homes buyers are working families earning a modest annual income. Most of the families earn between $25,000 and $35,000 a year. ACT I homeowners are state employees, school district employees, retail managers, retirees. They work at a variety of jobs in the public and private sector. Each ACT I Homes buyer believed that the money he or she paid each month for rent could be better spent to purchase a home for his or her family.

To be eligible for an ACT I home, potential buyers must meet the following requirements:

1. Have a household income of no more than 80 percent of the median income for Athens-Clarke County (see chart below) but at least $20,000 annually in order to have sufficient funds for mortgage payments, taxes, insurance, and other household and family expenses.
   
   

Number of Family Members	1	2	3	4	5	6
Maximum Family Income	$31,650	$36,150	$40,700	$45,200	$48,800	$52,450



2. Attend housing counseling.
   
   
3. Have credit scores of 600 or more.
   
   
4. Have a minimum down payment of $1,000.
   
   
5. Be financially qualified to obtain a mortgage.
   
   
6. Contact the Athens Housing Authority at 425-5411 for application information.

What Does ACT I Homes Do for the Community?

ACT I Homes helps to maintain affordable homeownership in the community. The Athens Housing Authority typically purchases vacant lots or lots with dilapidated housing for the ACT I Homes program. Construction of the houses introduces new homes and homeownership to older areas of the community. With the purchase of ACT I Homes, interest in the area is revitalized and, frequently, more homes are constructed in those areas through both public and private development. ACT I Homes helps the community by increasing the property tax base and the number of homeowners in Athens-Clarke County. It is a winning situation for everyone in the community.

For more information about ACT I Homes, call the Athens Housing Authority at 706-425-5411.

ACT I Homes is an Equal Opportunity Housing program.


The Cottages at Vine

To provide more opportunities for affordable housing, the Athens Housing Authority partnered with Vantage Housing Solutions and developer Chesser-Kennedy to create The Cottages at Vine – the first mixed income subdivision in Athens. Working with a developer allowed the construction of more homes in a shorter time span than the Athens Housing Authority has been able to do previously. All the homes are low maintenance and carry an Energy- Star designation. Many families wishing to purchase their first home may be eligible for down payment assistance through the Georgia Department of Community Affairs offering special financing for teachers, health employees and first responders or special mortgage programs offered by local lenders.

The Cottages at Vine offer the Athens community another opportunity for entry into the first-time homeownership market for a variety of families in the community. The Cottages at Vine provides Equal Opportunity Housing.

More information about The Cottages at Vine is available through www. thecottagesatvine.com.

Community Partnerships for Affordable Housing

Several years ago, the Athens Housing Authority provided the University of Georgia with an opportunity to build residence life halls earlier than they anticipated when we sold tax exempt housing revenue bonds. Through the bond program, UGA was able to create the East Campus Village. Now in 2009, the AHA will again utilize its abilities to provide tax-exempt housing revenue bonds in order for UGA to construct two additional residence life halls at East Campus Village.

To further increase homeownership opportunities and community development, we have worked closely with other affordable housing organizations in Athens. There are several affordable housing organizations in our community, but some of our abilities lend themselves to easing the path for other organizations to complete their projects.

Often, in older neighborhoods, it is difficult to ascertain clear ownership of a property. Legally, we are able to resolve land ownership issues and in that way have assisted the Athens Land Trust with the purchase of property for their homeownership programs.

In addition, we have provided financial assistance to the Athens Land Trust for the development of the Fourth Street Village and to the East Athens Development Corporation (EADC) for the Home Buyer Club housing counseling program and their homeownership program.

Regional Presence

On a regional level, the Athens Housing Authority is a founding member of the Georgia HAP Administrators, a consortium that provides asset management and program compliance for the multi-family Section 8 subsidized housing program through a contract with HUD. The Athens Housing Authority is responsible for monitoring almost 600 dwelling units in Northeast Georgia. During 2004, GHAP won a contract to provide Section 8 monitoring for the State of Illinois, excluding the Chicago area. Profit sharing from the proceeds of this activity will return to the Athens Housing Authority for our work in the community.