Community HOME Investment Program

The Community HOME Investment Program (CHIP), administered by the Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA), offers substantial federal financial support to improve housing affordability and quality throughout Georgia. The 2026 CHIP grant cycle allocates up to $10 million in HOME Investment Partnerships Program funds, distributed by the Georgia Housing and Finance Authority (GHFA), to support two core activities: rehabilitation of owner-occupied single-family homes, and the new construction or reconstruction of affordable single-family homes for sale to income-qualified homebuyers. These funds are governed by federal HOME regulations (24 CFR Parts 91 and 92) and require strict adherence to both federal and state compliance measures. The program prioritizes low- to moderate-income populations and ensures compliance with affordability standards, environmental review, fair housing, and lead-based paint rules, among other federal requirements. Eligible applicants include local governments in Georgia (excluding jurisdictions that already receive HUD HOME funds directly), public government authorities, and qualified nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(4) tax-exempt status. Nonprofit applicants must remain compliant with O.C.G.A. Section 50-20-1 through 50-20-8 throughout the award term. Additionally, any applicant with more than 50% of its prior CHIP award unspent is ineligible to apply. Current CHIP grantees must demonstrate timely and efficient use of prior funds, completion of activities, and substantial progress on housing units to be eligible for new funding. The program emphasizes applicant capacity, requiring either in-house staff or contractors with a proven track record in similar housing development or rehabilitation. Funding awards are tiered by activity. For rehabilitation of owner-occupied homes, applicants may receive up to $500,000. For new construction or reconstruction for sale to eligible homebuyers, the ceiling is $1,500,000. Project delivery costs and developer fees are allowable under the program, with specific caps. For example, subrecipients may receive up to $7,500 in project delivery costs for rehabilitation activities and up to 5% of HOME-funded development costs for new construction. Developers may receive fees up to 20% of CHIP-funded development costs, with restrictions in cases of identity of interest. Projects must meet affordability thresholds based on Area Median Income (AMI), with beneficiaries limited to households earning less than 80% of AMI. Applications must be submitted electronically via the Emphasys Housing Finance and Development portal by 11:59 p.m. on January 31, 2026. A $1,000 application fee, payable by check to the Georgia Housing and Finance Authority, is required. A webinar explaining the CHIP application process was recorded on October 22, 2025, and is available on the DCA’s YouTube channel. All supporting documentation must be uploaded via the Emphasys portal, and incomplete submissions will not be reviewed. Applicants must adhere to required procurement policies if they contract for grant writing or administration services. Non-compliance with procurement or application documentation requirements can result in disqualification. DCA evaluates applications based on multiple weighted criteria, including community need, planning and support, organizational readiness, innovation, and the applicant’s capacity to proceed with the proposed project. The review process includes a completeness screening, evaluation of eligibility requirements, and ranking based on scoring rubrics detailed in the CHIP Application Manual. Geographic diversity across the state is also considered during award decisions. Applications deemed incomplete will not advance, and applicants must respond to any requests for clarification within three business days. Selected applicants will enter into a formal agreement with DCA by September 1, 2026, and all funds must be expended within three years of the contract date. For new construction, homes must be sold to eligible buyers within nine months of issuance of a certificate of occupancy or be converted into HOME-funded rental units. Environmental reviews and DCA’s issuance of an Authority to Release Grant Funds (AUGF) are required before any construction can begin. CHIP recipients must comply with all applicable federal and state laws, including Davis-Bacon wage rules, environmental protection laws, fair housing policies, procurement standards, and accessibility requirements.

Respond promptly to DCA requests; avoid incomplete submissions; formal procurement required for external grant writers and administrators; housing counseling required for homebuyers.