ACC accepting proposals to preserve and expand affordable housing stock

In an effort to address lack of affordable housing for low-income Athens-Clarke County residents, ACCGov is now accepting proposals from organizations seeking American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding to preserve and create new affordable housing via home repairs and/or down payment assistance for prospective homeowners. Public or private non-profit entities are invited to submit applications through 4 o.m. On Sept. 1.

This program stems from a recommendation from the Athens Justice and Memory Project to help address financial losses created by urban renewal and to reinvest in historically underserved neighborhoods in Athens-Clarke County.  

Additional information about the RFP for Preservation of Affordable Housing Projects:

• Proposals are now being accepted through September 1, 2023 at 4:00 p.m.

• Request for Proposals (RFP) application is available via this link: https://www.accgov.com/DocumentCenter/View/92718/ARPA-AJMP-Affordable-Housing-RFP

• Interested parties are invited to view the technical assistance webinar presentation, to learn more about this opportunity.

• AJMP Affordable Housing RFP Pre-Proposal Meeting presentation is available via this link: https://www.accgov.com/DocumentCenter/View/93012/RFP-Webinar-for-AJMP-Affordable-Housing-Preservation

• AJMP Affordable Housing RFP Pre-Proposal Meeting recording is available via this link: https://www.accgov.com/DocumentCenter/View/93007/AJMP-Affordable-Housing-RFP-Pre-Proposal-Meeting

About the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA)

In March 2021, the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA) established the Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF) to provide state, local, and Tribal governments with the resources needed to respond to the pandemic and its economic effects and to build a stronger, more equitable economy during the recovery.

ARPA allocated $57.6 million to the Athens-Clarke County Unified Government. Funds may be used for costs incurred beginning on March 3, 2021 and must be allocated by December 31, 2024. The final rule provides that the period of performance will run until December 31, 2026. 

On March 1, 2022, the Mayor & Commission authorized the allocation of ARPA funds for specific uses and designated program areas ("buckets") including Youth Development and Violence Prevention, Affordable Housing, Homelessness, Business Development and Workforce Support, and Behavioral Health.