Community Development Block Grant – Disaster Relief Program

The Community Development Block Grant – Disaster Relief Program (CDBG-DR), administered by the Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA) and the Georgia Housing Finance Authority (GHFA), is a specialized funding initiative aimed at supporting the recovery and resilience of Georgia communities significantly impacted by federally recognized natural disasters. The program is structured as a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) that provides low-interest loan financing to applicants committed to seeking 2026 Housing Tax Credits—specifically for the new construction or acquisition and rehabilitation of affordable multifamily rental housing. The 2026 funding cycle offers resources through two distinct CDBG-DR programs based on separate disaster recovery timelines: 2023–2024 CDBG-DR and 2017 CDBG-DR. Together, they allocate approximately $22 million in funding. The 2023–2024 CDBG-DR component provides approximately $20 million in loan funding, with individual loans ranging from $2 million to $5 million. Loan terms may range from 15 to 30 years, with affordability periods lasting the longer of either 20 years or the loan duration. Interest rates for both construction and permanent phases range from 0% to 5%, subject to underwriting. Eligible applicants must be applying for 9% or 4% Housing Tax Credits in Georgia and demonstrate that their properties are located in counties impacted by Hurricane Idalia, Tropical Storm Debby, or Hurricane Helene. Forty-four counties, including both rural and urban jurisdictions such as Chatham, Glynn, Lowndes, and Richmond, are eligible under this fund. The 2017 CDBG-DR component allocates approximately $2 million, targeting applicants with developments located in communities affected by Hurricane Irma or the 2017 tornadoes (Disaster ID Numbers 4294, 4297, and 4338). Loan terms for this fund range from 20 to 30 years, and similar interest parameters apply. Properties located within specific high-impact ZIP codes—such as 31701 and 31548—are eligible for approximately $1.4 million in funding, while properties in counties such as Camden, Liberty, Coffee, and Dougherty can access up to $600,000 collectively. This version of the program also limits rent levels to a maximum of 80% of Area Median Income (AMI) and requires compliance with federal cross-cutting requirements including Davis-Bacon labor standards and the Uniform Relocation Act. To apply, developers must submit through the Emphasys portal, ensuring that narratives, documentation, and mandatory components are completed in accordance with NOFO specifications. Each applicant is limited to one application per property and up to two applications total, though DCA reserves the right to allow additional submissions. Core narrative components include a detailed project summary and substantiating data to demonstrate serious unmet housing needs in the disaster-impacted area. Applicants must also submit a 2025 DCA Core Application, and detailed evaluation criteria include design concepts, health and safety considerations, leveraging of third-party funds, and underwriting feasibility. The submission timeline for this NOFO began with publication on January 26, 2026. A mandatory Q&A webinar is scheduled for February 10, 2026. Critical pre-application documents related to project team qualifications and thresholds for 9% LIHTC applications are due February 27, 2026. Final applications are due March 12, 2026, and award announcements are anticipated by April 6, 2026. Following selection, awardees must meet additional compliance obligations including legal documentation, environmental review, cost appraisals, and adherence to state and federal housing program rules. Loan funds will be disbursed in four installments tied to construction milestones. The NOFO explicitly reserves the right for DCA and GHFA to modify, cancel, or limit awards based on funding availability and project feasibility.

Prioritize disaster-resilient design elements and support unmet housing needs with data to strengthen feasibility score.