EC Georgia News

Augusta, Georgia, is taking another step to improve residents' quality of life and economic vitality with the launching the Georgia Initiative for Community Housing (GICH) program in Richmond County.

According to Augusta's Housing and Community Development Department Deputy Director, Shauntia Lewis, "This program, which provides collaboration, training, and technical assistance, is a beacon of hope for our community, offering the opportunity to create and implement a locally-based plan to meet our housing needs."

The Augusta GICH Community Housing Team, comprised of housing professionals and subject matter experts, will be leading the development of a revitalization strategy for the Turpin Hill neighborhood. Lewis emphasized the importance of community involvement, stating, "We recognize that the success of this strategy relies on the active participation and valuable insights of our community."

The Turpin Hill neighborhood was chosen as the pilot area for this effort due to the prevalence of blighted homes and infrastructure needs. Once the plan is successfully implemented in this community, Augusta officials plan to replicate and tailor the revitalization strategy in other parts of the City, with ongoing input from residents.

To keep the community informed and engaged with the GICH initiative, Augusta will be hosting three community meetings at the Carrie J. Mays Community Center on the following dates:

- March 21, 2024, at 6pm

- June 20, 2024, at 6pm

- September 19, 2024, at 6pm

Residents are encouraged to attend these meetings to receive updates on the initiative's progress and share their thoughts and concerns. For more information about the event, individuals can call 706-821-1797.