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Georgia committee advances bill letting DCA use housing-trust fund for homelessness prevention
Summary
The State Planning & Community Affairs committee voted to amend and pass House Bill 689 out of committee. The bill would authorize the Department of Community Affairs to use the state's housing trust fund for homelessness prevention programs if the legislature later appropriates funds; sponsors emphasized prevention saves money and stabilizes families.
Representative Carpenter introduced House Bill 689 on the committee floor, saying the measure would allow the Georgia Department of Community Affairs to apply housing trust–fund dollars to homelessness prevention programs if the General Assembly later appropriates funds. "It's a whole lot more affordable to deal with things on the front side than after the fact," Carpenter said, framing the proposal as a fiscal and social prevention strategy.
Supporters told the committee they had experience delivering short-term rental and utility assistance and said small payments often prevent eviction and downstream costs. Audrea Reese, executive director of STAR Communities, said…
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