HB 689: Housing; establish a homelessness prevention program

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From the bill

Discussed in meetings (10)

The House and Senate meetings that took this bill up, from their machine transcripts. Each account was written by Georgia Commons with AI and is not part of the record; the video is what was said.

1. House State Planning & Community Affairs Committee, February 19, 2026

   From 0:14:04 · Watch on the General Assembly's Vimeo channel

   Summary by Georgia Commons: The sponsor said HB 689 would let the Department of Community Affairs (DCA) use the existing Housing Trust Fund for the Homeless for prevention, without appropriating money. The sponsor argued that short-term assistance costs less than responding to eviction and homelessness. Members questioned taxpayer funding, duplication, staffing, audits, eligibility and repeat requests. The sponsor said existing organizations would deliver assistance, DCA’s current audit process would apply, and local providers would determine assistance levels and screen applicants. The sponsor emphasized that the bill targets people at risk of homelessness, not those already homeless. One member highlighted community action agencies as another housing resource. A StaRC witness said the nonprofit had administered over $16.5 million in rental assistance since 2020. A landlord described small payments preventing eviction. An Atlanta Volunteer Lawyers Foundation witness said its assistance averaged $1,800 per household and that federal funding’s expiration in September 2025 left a gap. A House ATL witness said a nonprofit network could meet only 3% of requests. A public policy advocate representing housing and faith organizations requested $25 million, described local matching funds, and cited research estimating community costs above $11,200 per eviction. Members approved an amendment changing 2026 dates to 2027, then approved the bill by voice vote. Opposition was heard, but no vote count was stated.

2. House Rules Committee, February 23, 2026

   From 0:34:11 · Watch on the General Assembly's Vimeo channel

   Summary by Georgia Commons: The sponsor said HB 689 would allow the Department of Community Affairs to establish a homelessness prevention program within the state housing trust fund. The sponsor emphasized that the bill would not provide funding, but would create a program that could be funded later. There were no questions.

3. House Rules Committee, February 25, 2026

   From 1:43:56 · Watch on the General Assembly's Vimeo channel

   Summary by Georgia Commons: The committee placed HB 689 on the current day's floor calendar after a motion and second. The chair asked for opposition and declared it added. No substantive discussion was shown.

4. House floor session, February 25, 2026 (legislative day 24)

   From 3:37:31 · Watch on the General Assembly's Vimeo channel · Confirmed by the 2026 House Journal, p. 1210

   Summary by Georgia Commons: The sponsor said HB 689 would let the Department of Community Affairs add homelessness prevention to programs under the housing trust fund. The sponsor said short-term assistance could keep families housed and continue work begun through federal COVID-era programs. Asked about funding, the sponsor clarified that the bill appropriated no money, although the trust fund already received funding, and would allow future spending on prevention. One supporting member said more than one-third of Georgia families rented and more than half of renters spent over 30% of income on rent. That member cited a study estimating $2.47 in community benefits per dollar invested in prevention and argued stable housing improved health, employment and children's education. A second supporting member emphasized economic stability and opportunities for Macon-Bibb County families. No opposing speech was shown. The House passed the bill 148 to 11.

5. Senate Government Oversight Committee, March 17, 2026

   From 0:28:11 · Watch on the General Assembly's Vimeo channel

   Summary by Georgia Commons: The chair identified the bill as establishing a homelessness prevention program and announced that it would receive subcommittee review before possible full committee consideration. The subcommittee meeting was announced for Thursday at 2 p.m. in the same room. No substantive presentation or vote on the bill occurred.

6. Senate Government Oversight Committee, March 24, 2026

   From 0:29:19 · Watch on the General Assembly's Vimeo channel

   Summary by Georgia Commons: The sponsor said the bill would create a homelessness prevention program through the Department of Community Affairs and Housing Trust Fund, subject to legislative funding. The sponsor said federal prevention funding ended the previous September and proposed combining state, local and private dollars through existing grant processes. The sponsor argued that helping people after homelessness costs three times as much as prevention. One member asked how effectiveness would be measured. The sponsor pointed to local tracking and a church-supported assistance database in Whitfield County. A second member suggested Unite Us, a referral system the member said tracks outcomes for state agencies. A third member raised concerns about administrative spending and urged audits and accountability. Another member asked how lawmakers could track results; the sponsor recommended following grants and auditing recipients. Asked about low-income eligibility, the sponsor said local organizations would set guidelines. Asked about vetting providers and limiting overhead, the sponsor said the department would evaluate applicants, but the bill specifies no spending ratio. The committee unanimously recommended passage. A member agreed to carry the bill in the Senate.

7. Senate Rules Committee, March 30, 2026

   From 0:53:37 · Watch on the General Assembly's Vimeo channel

   Summary by Georgia Commons: The sponsor said HB 689 would allow the Department of Community Affairs to help prevent homelessness. The sponsor argued that prevention cost less than addressing homelessness afterward. Asked about a Senate carrier, the sponsor said one had not yet been secured. It was selected on behalf of an absent member, and the committee unanimously approved the calendar containing it.

• Read aloud: House floor session, February 19, 2026 (legislative day 21), 1:07:53
• Read aloud: Senate floor session, February 26, 2026 (legislative day 25), 0:25:38
• Read aloud: Senate floor session, March 25, 2026 (legislative day 37), 0:33:43

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