DCA highlights rural set‑aside and veterans housing partnerships

Laurel Hart said Georgia’s housing credit policies include specific measures to maintain and preserve small rural rental properties, including "a 35 percent rural set-aside and a rural preservation program designed to ensure that smaller properties in rural counties are maintained in accordance with DCA's high quality standards." She pointed to a map of 128 rural properties funded in the last five years and said DCA is using credit categories to preserve a geographically diverse portfolio.

Hart and other staff explained that some properties are built on or adjacent to VA hospital grounds, that the agency can accept veteran preference and pair VASH vouchers with credit projects to create housing for homeless veterans, and that DCA seeks to be flexible with competitive points to encourage health and support services on site.