The Georgia Initiative for Community Housing program recognized the cities of Covington, Gainesville, Pembroke, Rome, Thomasville, Valdosta, Vienna and Washington for their efforts to increase affordable housing and to revitalize their communities at the “Celebrating a Decade of Success” awards event held October 21 at the UGA Georgia Center in Athens.
 
“With the ongoing support of our Founding Sponsor, the Georgia Power Company, GICH has facilitated progress toward housing stability in 55 Georgia communities. Today we celebrate the tenth anniversary of the GICH program by recognizing outstanding examples of affordable housing projects and innovations by GICH communities,” said Georgia Department of Community Affairs Deputy Commissioner for Housing Carmen Chubb from the event stage.
 
Launched in 2004, GICH helps communities improve their quality of life and economic vitality through the development of housing and revitalization strategies. GICH offers communities a three-year program of collaboration and technical assistance. During a community’s participation, team members work to create and launch a locally-based plan to meet local housing needs.

All GICH communities were invited to submit applications for five award categories — Adaptive Reuse, Affordable Rental Housing, Community Outreach & Engagement, Homeownership, and Neighborhood Revitalization. Based upon review of the quality of the applications received, the awards committee included two additional categories, Community Transformation and Housing Innovation, to adequately recognize the results achieved.
 
The panel of experts considered the following criteria in making their recommendations for awards: measurable benefits to affordable housing in Georgia; the degree to which the project or innovation can be replicated; how well the project or innovation responds to the identified need or opportunity; and cost-effectiveness.
 
The City of Valdosta was recognized with the Adaptive Reuse Award for the repurposing of an existing structure for affordable housing units. The Ashley House is an historic property located in downtown Valdosta. Constructed in 1925 as the Ashley Hotel, this project was designed to address redevelopment while preserving the historical and affordable housing aspects and continuing to re-invigorate the downtown area. The building currently houses senior citizens in 61 newly-renovated residential units with two commercial spaces on the bottom floor. The Ashley House also includes a green space courtyard, a computer center, wellness room, and arts and crafts room. The property is the first historical development to be certified as an EarthCraft multi-family building and an EarthCraft site.