A new round of state-administered housing grants could provide an opportunity for communities such as Chattooga County to obtain funding for home repairs and the development of affordable housing.

The Georgia Department of Community Affairs has opened applications for $10 million in 2027 Community HOME Investment Program, or CHIP, grants.

The federally funded program provides money to eligible local governments, public government authorities and nonprofit organizations to address housing needs and increase homeownership opportunities for low- and very low-income Georgians.

For Chattooga County, one potential use of the program would be rehabilitation of existing owner-occupied homes.

Under the current program, eligible applicants can seek up to $500,000 for rehabilitation of owner-occupied single-family homes. Grants of up to $1.5 million are available for new construction or rehabilitation of affordable single-family homes that will be sold to income-eligible homebuyers.

The money does not go directly from the state to individual homeowners. Instead, an eligible local government or organization must apply for a CHIP grant and then administer a local housing program if funding is awarded.

That distinction means Chattooga County residents cannot individually apply to the state for a portion of the newly announced $10 million.

Housing conditions are already an issue receiving attention locally.

According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau estimates, Chattooga County had approximately 10,929 housing units in 2025. About 66.8 percent of occupied housing units are owner-occupied, based on 2020-2024 estimates.

The median value of an owner-occupied home in Chattooga County is approximately $115,600, considerably below home values found in many other parts of Georgia.

Chattooga County has also previously taken steps to prepare for federal grant opportunities involving housing and community development. In 2025, the county sought proposals from firms qualified to assist with federal grant applications and administration. Among the programs specifically identified by the county were the Community HOME Investment Program and HOME Investment Partnerships Program.

Competition for CHIP funding can be significant.

In the most recent round announced earlier this year, DCA awarded more than $10 million to 12 Georgia communities and organizations.

Eight recipients received $500,000 each for rehabilitation of owner-occupied homes, while four recipients received $1.5 million each for construction of new affordable single-family homes.

DCA says applications are evaluated competitively, with consideration given to a community’s housing needs, readiness to proceed with a project and ability to properly administer the program.

Communities applying for rehabilitation funding must provide information documenting existing housing conditions. Applicants seeking money for new home construction must provide market analysis demonstrating both the need for affordable housing and the ability to sell the homes to income-qualified buyers.

Applications for the 2027 CHIP grant cycle must be submitted by January 31, 2027.

No announcement has been made that Chattooga County will apply for funding during the current grant cycle. However, the county is among the types of Georgia communities that could potentially benefit from the program if an eligible local application is developed and approved.

The Georgia Department of Community Affairs administers CHIP using funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s HOME Investment Partnerships Program.