HB689: HB689 Housing; establish a homelessness prevention program

Georgia already runs a housing trust fund for the homeless (O.C.G.A. § 8-3-301 and related sections) that funds residential housing projects and stable housing accountability programs. This bill adds a third category: homelessness prevention programs. These are programs certified by the state housing commission that aim to prevent homelessness, keep low-income people housed, and stop evictions, but that don't qualify as the other two existing program types. The bill expands the definition of 'qualified sponsor' to include legal aid groups, mediation providers, coordinated intake coalitions, housing authorities, and other groups the commission approves. It creates a new process (O.C.G.A. § 8-3-311.1) for the commission to set minimum standards, take applications, score them on criteria like number of people helped and geographic spread, and require signed contracts with financial guarantees before releasing trust fund money. The commission may also accept federal funds, state appropriations, and private donations for these programs.

• Creates a new 'homelessness prevention program' category eligible for money from Georgia's housing trust fund for the homeless.
• Expands the definition of 'qualified sponsor' to include legal aid groups, mediation providers, intake coalitions, housing authorities, and other commission-approved organizations.
• Directs the housing commission to publish statewide minimum standards and an application process for these programs, posted on the Department of Community Affairs website.
• Requires a signed contract with financial assurance from the sponsor before any trust fund money can be paid out.
• Sets approval criteria such as the number of people likely helped, the sponsor's ability to leverage other funding, geographic distribution, and likelihood of contract compliance.
• Allows the commission to accept federal funds, state appropriations, and private donations specifically for homelessness prevention programs.

Nonprofits, for-profit sponsors, legal services agencies, mediation providers, local housing authorities, and urban residential finance authorities that could apply to run these programs; low-income Georgians and homeless individuals who could receive rental assistance, legal help, or eviction mediation; and the state housing commission and Department of Community Affairs, which would administer the process.

Low-income Georgians facing eviction or housing instability could gain access to a new, state-funded pipeline of rental assistance, legal representation, and mediation services. Organizations that previously didn't fit the trust fund's existing categories would become eligible to apply for state money to run these services.

• Section 1 amends O.C.G.A. § 8-3-301 to define 'homelessness prevention program' and broadens 'qualified sponsor' to include legal aid groups, mediation providers, intake coalitions, and housing authorities.
• Section 2 updates the commission's duties under O.C.G.A. § 8-3-308 to include accepting applications for homelessness prevention program funding.
• Section 3 revises O.C.G.A. § 8-3-309 to let the commission accept federal funds, state appropriations, and private donations for homelessness prevention programs.
• Section 4 adds new O.C.G.A. § 8-3-311.1, setting up the application process, minimum standards, approval criteria, and contract requirements for these programs.
• Section 4(d) requires certified programs to build capacity for rental assistance, legal services, or eviction diversion, or provide a coordinated application portal for low-income persons.
• Section 4(g) bars any fund disbursement until a signed contract with financial assurance is in place.
• Section 5 updates the commission's powers under O.C.G.A. § 8-3-313 to include holding title to property tied to homelessness prevention programs.

1. 2026-03-31Senate Tabled (Senate)
2. 2026-03-25Senate Read Second Time (Senate)
3. 2026-03-25Senate Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute (Senate)
4. 2026-02-26Senate Read and Referred (Senate)
5. 2026-02-25House Passed/Adopted (House)
6. 2026-02-25House Third Readers (House)
7. 2026-02-19House Committee Favorably Reported (House)
8. 2025-04-04House Withdrawn, Recommitted (House)

• Kasey Carpenter (R, HD-004)Primary sponsor
• Lisa Campbell (D, HD-035)
• Scott Hilton (R, HD-048)
• William Werkheiser (R, HD-157)
• Spencer Frye (D, HD-122)
• Mary Oliver (D, HD-084)
• Jason T. Dickerson (R, SD-021)

1. PassedHouse voteFebruary 25, 2026

   148 yea, 11 nay (13 not voting, 5 absent)

   Passage: House Vote #554

2. PassedSenate voteMarch 31, 2026

   39 yea, 10 nay (2 not voting, 3 absent)

   Motion To Table Remaining Legislation On The Rules Calendar: Senate Vote #912

• homelessness
• housing assistance
• eviction prevention
• low-income housing
• housing trust fund