A plan on how to use $2.5 million in federal aid for homelessness and housing insecurity will be voted on by the Athens-Clarke County Commission tonight.
Commissioners can use the Home-ARP funds for a variety of purposes, like creating affordable rental housing, rental assistance, and aiding non-profit groups that support homeless or housing-insecure Athenians.
Half of the total federal funds -- $1.3 million -- will go towards increasing the number of affordable housing units in Athens. An additional 25 percent -- $625,000 -- will finance supportive care like mental health services, employment aid, and housing search assistance. Some commissioners have pushed to increase the size of affordable housing funds, as the $1.3 million will only generate five to ten new units.
Commissioners also plan to vote on a civility resolution. If passed, the resolution would require ACC elected officials to follow a civility code and to read out a pledge at the start of each Mayor and Commission meeting. Mayor Kelly Girtz said the resolution will establish a model for respect.
Commissioners are also expected to hold a final vote on a 78.4-acre housing and commercial development.
On Monday, the Mall Redevelopment Committee (MARC) approved the community benefits agreement (CBA), which lays out what the county and developers will bring to the project. The Clarke County Board of Education also approved their intergovernmental agreement with ACC on Monday.
Commissioners are expected to make a final vote on development plans and the CBA tonight
