ACCGov FY27 Community Partnership and Housing Counseling Programs (General Funds)

The Unified Government of Athens-Clarke County (ACCGov) is seeking partnerships with local community service providers that support achieving the goals and priorities identified in the FY26-28 Strategic Plan that specifically benefit residents of Athens-Clarke County. ACCGov will make available up to $1,100,000 in general funds through two separate funding opportunities:

1. FY27 Community Partnerships Program: Up to $1,000,000 in general funds will be available for proposed Community Service and Homeless Continuum of Care Service activities. All eligible proposals will be evaluated by the Mayor-appointed HCD Citizen Advisory Committee (Vision Committee), who will also determine funding recommendations to be presented to Mayor and Commission for approval in spring 2026. 
2. FY27 Housing Counseling: Up to $100,000 in general funds are available for proposed housing counseling activities. All eligible Housing Counseling proposals will be evaluated by both HCD staff and HCD Citizen Advisory Committee (Vision Committee), and successful proposals will be recommended to Mayor and Commission for funding approval.

Important Notes

1. The Community Partnership and Housing Counseling Programs are a competitive process. Proposals may or may not be recommended for funding; therefore, agencies should not rely upon, or have and expectation of, funding from ACCGov even if they have received funding in the past.
2. ACCGov funding is subject to the State of Georgia gratuity’s clause (GA Constitution, Article III, Section VI, Paragraph VI).
3. ACCGov funding is intended to secure programs and services that support and achieve goals and strategies outlined in the FY26-28 Strategic Plan. It is not intended to support general operating and overhead costs not associated with the program or services being funded. There is a cap of 20% of total award for program-related administrative costs.
4. Funding recommendations must be approved by the Mayor and Commission, and if approved, contracts for services will be executed with selected providers for a 12-month performance period of July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027.

Eligible Applicants

Community Partnership and Housing Counseling agencies submitting proposals must meet the following requirements:

• Be a legally formed not-for-profit (non-profit) entity located within Athens-Clarke County and providing services directly benefiting residents of Athens-Clarke County.
• Provide proof of the non-profit entity’s legal formation. Non-profit corporations are formed in Georgia by filing with the Corporations Division of the Office of the Secretary of State. (Active status)
• Proof of agency’s federal tax exemption from the Internal Revenue Service.
• Agencies must submit completed audits or financial statements prepared by independent auditors or certified public accountants for the agency’s most recent fiscal year. A certified Profit and Loss Statement will be accepted for agencies expending less than $100,000 in the prior fiscal year. 
• For former recipients of general funds, an agency must be in good standing with ACCGov. To be considered in good standing, the agency must be in compliance with all terms of their prior or existing contractual agreements. 

Submission of Proposals

Agencies interested in submitting a proposal for CPP and/or Housing Counseling funding must register and apply online through ZoomGrants (https://www.zoomgrants.com/zgf/ACCGov_FY27GenFunds). Proposal forms will be available beginning October 22, 2025. There is a limit of 3 unique applications per agency for each funding source. 

To be considered for funding, all proposal materials must be completed and received by the ACCGov Housing and Community Development Department by 11:59pm on Monday, November 24, 2025. Proposals are accepted electronically and should be submitted through ZoomGrants. 

HCD hosted a virtual release of application meeting on October 22, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. This meeting was recorded and will be made available on the HCD website (www.accgov.com/hcd) if interested agencies are unable to attend the live meeting.

For Community Partnerships questions or technical assistance, organizations may contact HCD staff at 706-613-3155 or email the HCD Community Impact Division team:

For Housing Counseling questions or technical assistance, organizations may contact HCD staff at 706-613-3155 or email the HCD Affordable Housing Division team:

Eligible Activities

Community Partnership and Housing Counseling agencies seeking to provide services must submit proposals under one of the following categories:

1.  Community Services (via Community Partnerships Program)

• Neighborhood Revitalization Activities
• Poverty Reduction and Economic Strength Activities
• Intervention and Prevention Activities

2.   Homeless Continuum of Care Services (via Community Partnerships Program)

Community partnership agencies submitting proposals in this category must demonstrate the ability to provide all of the following services:

• Provide case management services to persons experiencing homelessness currently residing in an Athens-Clarke County emergency shelter and/or to unsheltered persons. Case management is defined as:

• • Intake 
  • Assessment 
  • Referrals to appropriate agencies for social services, training, education, and housing assistance services.
  • Creation of individual self-development plans to meet a client’s housing and self-sufficiency needs.

• Assist with facilitation of the annual Point in Time (PIT) count.
• Actively participate in the Athens Homeless Coalition as a member and/or on the Executive Board.

Community partnership agencies submitting proposals in this category must demonstrate the ability to provide all of the following services:

3. Housing Counseling

• Applicant must be located and operate in the geographical area (Athens-Clarke County) they propose to serve.
• The applicant must have a least one year of experience administering a housing counseling program.
• The applicant must have a housing counselor who has passed the HUD Housing Counselor Certification Exam or will pass the HUD Housing Counselor Certification Exam before contract execution.
• Provide one- on-one counseling and education activities to support Athens Clarke County, GA residents (renters or homebuyers).
• The applicant must have a system for keeping records of client files and reporting monthly and annual activity data.
• Knowledge of HUD programs and HUD Housing Counselor requirements.

Minimum Insurance Requirements

Any and all companies providing insurance required by this contract must meet certain minimum financial security requirements as set forth below. These requirements conform to the rating published by A.M. Best & Co. (“Best”) for all contracts. Regardless of size, companies providing insurance under this contract must have a current:

• Best’s rating not less than A-, and the rating must be current; and 
• Best’s financial size category is not less than Class VIII

Final insurance requirements will be determined during contracting process.

Two Endorsements are required:

• Additional Insured Endorsement
• Notice of Cancellation Endorsement

Coverages and Limits Required:

Workers Compensation (WC): 

Workers Compensation Insurance (per Occurrence) in the amounts of the statutory limits established by the General Assembly of the State of Georgia (a self-insurer must submit a certificate from the Georgia Board of Works Compensation stating that the supplier qualifies to pay its own workers compensation claims).  In addition, the supplier shall require all subcontractors occupying the premises or performing work under the contract to obtain an insurance certificate showing proof of Workers Compensation Coverage with the following minimum coverage:

• Bodily injury by accident – per employee: $100,000
• Bodily injury by disease – per employee: $100,000
• Bodily injury by disease – policy limit: $500,000

If exempt by law from providing Workers Compensation Insurance then in lieu of providing WC coverage, Subrecipient must provide a statement on the organization’s letterhead attesting to the reason that they are exempt.  

Commercial General Liability (CGL): 

• Each Occurrence Limit: $1,000,000
• General Aggregate Limit: $1,000,000

Automobile Liability:

• Combined Single Limit: $1,000,000

If Subrecipient will not be using automobiles in the performance of this contract then in lieu of Automobile Liability coverage, Subrecipient must provide a statement on the organization’s letterhead attesting that no autos will be used in the performance of this contract.

Umbrella Liability: $1,000,000

Additional Insured:  The vendor or contractor shall add “the Unified Government of Athens-Clarke County, its officers, employees, and agents” as an additional insured under the commercial general liability, automobile, and umbrella liability policies. The additional insured endorsement must be provided.

Fidelity Insurance: AMOUNT EQUALTO OR GREATER THAN THE CONTRACT AMOUNT. 

• The Grantee shall receive a statement from the Subrecipient and Subrecipient insurer Confirming that all persons handling funds received or disbursed under this Agreement are Covered by Fidelity Insurance in an amount equal to or greater than this contract award. 

Community Partnership Program and Housing Counseling Proposal Timeline

On Wednesday, October 22, at 10:00am, HCD Staff hosted an application release meeting to review the FY27 Community Partnership Program and Housing Counseling RFPs, application requirements and timeline. There was also an opportunity for attendees to ask questions during the meeting.  The meeting was recorded and the video will be made available on the HCD website (www.accgov.com/hcd) for those unable to join.