SB257: SB257 Department of Human Services; adopt and implement affordable family housing assistance programs; authorize local governments

Currently Georgia law does not give local governments a specific framework for running their own affordable housing assistance programs. Senate Bill 257 would create one. Starting January 1, 2026, any county, city, or consolidated government could choose (but would not be required) to adopt an ordinance or resolution setting up an affordable family housing assistance program. To operate a program, a local government would need to apply for and receive a certificate of approval from the Division of Family and Children Services, set up a separate trust fund for program money, and follow rules on who can get help and how much. Assistance could go toward building or fixing up affordable housing, or toward security deposits and rent for low-income and very low-income households. The division would set statewide income limits, monitor local programs, and could revoke approval if a local government does not comply. The bill takes effect July 1, 2025, with initial state rules due by October 1, 2025.

• Authorizes (but does not require) counties, cities, and consolidated governments to adopt local affordable family housing assistance programs starting January 1, 2026.
• Requires local governments to obtain a certificate of approval from the Division of Family and Children Services before their program ordinance can take effect.
• Requires each participating local government to create a separate trust fund to hold and disburse program money for housing construction, rehabilitation, or rent and deposit assistance.
• Sets eligibility rules requiring housing built with program funds to reserve at least 40 percent of units for low-income renters and 20 percent for very low-income renters.
• Requires local governments to file annual reports with the division accounting for funds and assistance awarded, and allows the division to revoke approval for noncompliance.
• Directs the division to publish county-by-county median household income figures each year to determine who qualifies as low-income or very low-income.

The bill affects Georgia's counties, municipalities, and consolidated governments that choose to run housing programs; the Division of Family and Children Services, which approves and monitors them; low-income and very low-income families and homeless individuals seeking housing help; and developers or sponsors who build or rehabilitate affordable housing.

If enacted, local governments that opt in could offer new financial help, such as rent deposits or construction grants, to low-income families, but only after clearing a new state approval and reporting process. Families in participating jurisdictions could gain access to housing assistance that does not currently exist under Georgia law.

• Section 2 adds new Code Sections 49-3-10 through 49-3-21 to Title 49, defining terms like 'affordable family housing,' 'low-income person,' and 'very low-income person' based on median county income.
• Code Section 49-3-11 allows local governments, starting January 1, 2026, to adopt programs offering loans, grants, guarantees, or rent and deposit assistance to eligible recipients.
• Code Section 49-3-12 requires local governments to apply for and receive a certificate of approval from the division before implementing a program.
• Code Section 49-3-13 requires local ordinances to establish a trust fund, eligibility criteria, and an administering department, consistent with division rules.
• Code Section 49-3-14 lets the division revoke a certificate of approval if a local government's program falls out of compliance or fails to report as required.
• Code Section 49-3-16 requires that housing built with program assistance reserve at least 40 percent of units for low-income renters and 20 percent for very low-income renters.
• Code Section 49-3-19 requires annual reports to the division on funds deposited, disbursed, and awarded through each local program.
• Code Section 49-3-21 requires the division to adopt initial rules and regulations by October 1, 2025, and the Act takes effect July 1, 2025.

1. 2025-02-27Senate Read and Referred (Senate)
2. 2025-02-26Senate Hopper (Senate)

• Donzella James (D, SD-028)Primary sponsor

• affordable housing
• local government programs
• low-income assistance
• rental assistance
• housing policy