In an effort to offer more affordable housing choices, the Athens Housing Authority offers homeownership opportunities for families of various income levels. Our ACT I Homes Program is for families with low to moderate incomes (60%-80% of Athens-Clarke County Area Median Income). Our down payment assistance program is for moderate income families (80%-115% of ACC Area Median Income).
ACT I HomesThe AHA began to build, renovate, and sell single-family homes through our ACT I Homes Program. The program has enabled low-to-moderate-income families, who thought a house of their own was out of reach, to become first-time buyers.
The ACT I Homes Program is geared towards households earning 60%-80% of ACC AMI. Working with Athens-Clarke County’s Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD), the AHA has taken a leadership role in the revitalization of in-town neighborhoods. The development of the federally-funded ACT I Homes Program increases Athens-Clarke County homeownership rates and helps make homeownership a reality for many families.
Our ACT I Homes Program opens 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 HCD, the Athens Housing Authority has worked to revitalize numerous neighborhoods in Athens-Clarke County. AHA has helped many families achieve their dreams of homeownership through the ACT I Homes Program.
Who Is a Typical ACT I Homes buyer?
ACT I Homes buyers are working families earning a modest combined annual income. A variety of people who work in the public or private sector qualify for affordable housing. 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. Monthly payments (including principal, interest, taxes, and insurance) are often lower than the rents individuals were previously paying.
What are the eligibility requirements to purchase an ACT I home?
To be eligible for an ACT I home, potential buyers must meet the following requirements:
Have a household income of no more than 80 percent of the median income for Athens-Clarke County (see chart below) but have a combined household income of at least $22,000 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 | $38,550 | $44,050 | $49,550 | $55,050 | $59,500 | $63,900 |
Attend one-on-one housing counseling with a professional housing counselor. (The AHA can put potential buyers in touch with counselors who meet this criteria.)
Have a credit score of at least 600.
Have a minimum down payment of $1,000.
Be financially qualified to obtain a mortgage.
Attend and complete a homeownership workshop.
Be a first-time homebuyer and not own vacant land.
Athens Housing Authority Down Payment Assistance Program (AHA DPA Program)
To be eligible for an AHA Down Payment Assistance Program home, potential buyers must meet the following requirements:
Have a combined household income of between 80% and 115% of the median income for Athens-Clarke County (see chart below):
| Number of Household Members | Eligible Household Income Range |
| 1 | $38,551 – $55,415 |
| 2 | $44,051 – $63,321 |
| 3 | $49,551 – $71,228 |
| 4 | $55,051 – $79,134 |
| 5 | $59,501 – $85,531 |
| 6 | $63,901 – $91,856 |
Attend one-on-one housing counseling with a professional housing counselor.
Have a credit score of at least 600.
Have a minimum down payment of $1,000.
Be financially qualified to obtain a first mortgage.
Attend and complete a homeownership workshop.
Be a first-time homebuyer and not own vacant land.
Savannah Heights
To provide more opportunities for affordable housing, the Athens Housing Authority partnered with Vanguard Housing Solutions, Inc. and developer Chesser-Kennedy Builders to create Savannah Heights – 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 resulting in low energy bills. Savannah Heights offered homes associated with both the ACT I Program and AHA’s Down Payment Assistance Program.
Current Homes for Sale
The Athens Housing Authority expects to begin construction on two ACT I houses in the Summer of 2021 and anticipates each house will be available for purchase in the Fall of 2021. We are currently accepting information from interested parties and compiling a waiting list of future potential buyers.
For more information about the ACT I Homes Program and/or the AHA DPA Program, contact Rachel Deal via email at rdeal@athenshousing.org or via phone at 706-425-5413.