The Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA) has designated Thomasville as one of 24 Georgia Initiative for Community Housing (GICH) certified alumni communities in 2022.
Launched in 2004, GICH is the primary outreach arm of the Center for Housing and Community Research in partnership with the College of Family and Consumer Sciences at the University of Georgia, Georgia Department of Community Affairs, and the Georgia Municipal Association. GICH helps communities in Georgia improve quality of life and economic vitality by developing locally-driven housing and revitalization strategies. Thomasville was one of the first communities in the state to complete the three-year program and remains active as an alumni community.
While all teams who complete the three-year program are considered program alumni, only teams who successfully complete the alumni certification process are considered ‘certified alumni.’ Communities that are ‘certified alumni’ of the GICH program have demonstrated active involvement in local government planning and community development through regular meetings among core GICH team members, continued refinement of local GICH Housing Plans, and team participation in GICH retreats and other professional development opportunities.
“Our GICH team was very productive this past year and made great progress forging stronger collaborative partnerships and focusing on a comprehensive, affordable housing initiative,” said Anna Day, Community Planner for the City of Thomasville. “We’re grateful for this hard-earned and valuable distinction at such a critical time in our community.”
GICH teams must submit an alumni certification application every two years to remain eligible for the competitive advantages afforded to GICH communities when applying for Housing Tax Credit and Community Development Block Grant programs offered through DCA. In all, there are currently thirty-seven certified alumni communities and eight recent graduates of the GICH program.
For more information about GICH, visit www.fcs.uga.edu/fhce/gich.