Rockmart officials heading to GICH retreat next week
From Staff Reports
Rockmart’s participation in the Georgia Initiative for Community Housing (GICH) program continues to bring positive results as team members prepare for a retreat Sept. 20-22 in Gainesville.
During this meeting, Rockmart will give a power point report on goals accomplished since the City was approved for the 3-year program of collaboration and technical assistance related to housing and local development.
The objective of GICH is to help communities create and launch a plan to meet their hous- ing and neighborhood revitalization needs.
During the program of technical assistance and cross-sharing the community housing team is expected to attend two retreats a year with other participating communities, identify issues and needs, available resources and potential objectives, develop new ideas, learn about best practices and available resources and funding for housing and community development, produce a housing plan with objectives and goals and begin implementation of a program of action.
A goal has been set to complete a housing survey of all property in Rockmart, which was launched in May. During the first several weeks, about 200 were finished. However, efforts were delayed due to the high temperatures in June. New iPads, purchased with a $1,000 grant from the University of Georgia, will now speed up this process.
Sherman Ross, Rockmart council member, met with team members on Thursday, Sept. 15. He outlined the agenda for freshmen (first year) members at the GICH retreat Sept. 20-22.
The emphasis at the September event will be code enforcement, Ross said. Topics on the retreat agenda will include: Best practices in code enforcement, housing tax credits, neighborhood revitalization, local housing initiatives, financial access for affordable ownership, and grant funds such as a Community Development Block Grant ( CDBG) and Community HOME Investment Program (Chip).
Ross said survey data is important for several grant applications. These are the CDBG, which could be up to $800,000. This type of grant was utilized in Rockmart during past community improvement projects, included one in the area known as Jones Village.
He said the Appalachian Regional (ARC) grant – up to $300.000 - and a Veteran Housing program – up to $500,000 – could be on the application list. Smaller grants considered are a cost sharing project with the Georgia Recreational Trails Program – up to $100,000 - and a community impact grant – up to $5,000 - from Home Depot.
Ross said the Georgia Land Bank Act of 2013 provides an avenue for cities to receive funds that could be used for clearing up deeds and tax liens on abandoned property. These could be sold to developers or non-profits for development and returned to the tax roles.
“I received information about this option while attending a recent conference where I heard presentations from representatives in Valdosta and Thomasville,” Ross said. “Both cities have utilized this tool effectively.”
Team members have discussed this option, which could be utilized in partnership with other cities or counties.
Jeff Ellis, city manager, emphasized that abandoned or blighted property can significantly impact any neighborhood.
“Rockmart is not the only community facing these issues,” Ellis said. “It can be a win, win situation when people take responsibility for maintenance and upkeep of buildings they own.”
GICH team members are also prepared to utilize data from Code Enforcement efforts, which is an effective tool in rehabilitation projects. Noted is the improvements made since early spring as more abandoned or dilapidated houses are improved or removed from neighborhoods.
Meanwhile, team members plan a Fall Community Impact Day in partnership with Keep Polk Beautiful (KPB) on Saturday, Sept. 24. This project will be similar to one held during the spring when volunteers picked up litter from several problem areas in the community.