IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENTS
FROM OUR PARTNERS AT
DCA & SAMHSA
Special Bulletin
April 14, 2021
HOUSING CHOICE VOUCHER PROGRAM
Waiting List Opening
The Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA) has announced that the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program, or Section 8, waiting list preliminary application period will be open April 22-26, 2021 through an online system.
The voucher program provides a rental subsidy to assist low-income individuals and families in renting safe, decent, and affordable housing in the private rental market throughout DCA’s jurisdiction of 149 counties in Georgia. The subsidy is given to eligible families who are selected from the wait list. Eligibility for the program is based on several factors including the family’s income and eligible citizenship status.
DCA will accept preliminary applications for the HCV program beginning Thursday, April 22, at 12:01 a.m. through Monday, April 26, at 11:59 p.m. for all 149 of the counties it serves. The remaining 10 counties in Georgia are served by their local housing authorities. Complete lists of the counties and cities in which DCA administers the HCV program can be found by clicking here.
Applications will only be accepted electronically through an online system. Beginning April 22, applicants may log on to the wait list application at www.applygadca.com. The application is available in English, Korean, Mandarin, Spanish and Vietnamese.
Applicants requiring assistance in completing the preliminary application or an accommodation because of a disability may email DCA at applygadca@dca.ga.gov or they may call an application assistance phone line, which will be available April 22, 23 and 26 from 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m., at 1-888-858-6085, select option 2. Requests must be made during the application acceptance period of April 22-26, 2021. Information regarding the wait list application process is available at 855-741-5177.
DCA’s Housing Assistance Division representatives say there is no advantage to applying on the first day, April 22. All preliminary applications will be entered into a lottery, and a random drawing will be held to determine the ranking of the preliminary applications on the waiting list. Not all preliminary applications will result in placement on the wait list after the lottery drawing.
No duplicate preliminary applications will be accepted. Any duplicate applications with the same household members listed will be removed. All applications must be complete including correct social security numbers and dates of birth for each family member, including minors.
DCA does not charge for an application and advises applicants to beware of any website or company that states that it charges on behalf of DCA. More information about DCA’s Housing Choice Voucher program can be found by clicking here.
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Community Mental Health Centers Grant Program
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), Center for Mental Health Services, is accepting applications for fiscal year 2021 Community Mental Health Centers grant program.
The purpose of this program is to enable community mental health centers to support and restore the delivery of clinical services that were impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and effectively address the needs of individuals with serious emotional disturbance (SED), serious mental illness (SMI), and individuals with SMI or SED and substance use disorders, referred to as co-occurring disorder. SAMHSA recognizes the needs of individuals with behavioral health conditions, including minority populations and economically disadvantaged communities, have not been met during the pandemic and that CMHC staff and other caregivers have been impacted.
Those agencies that are eligible to apply for the grant are Community Mental Health Centers, including state and local government-operated Community Mental Health Centers, as defined by Section 1913 (c) of the Public Health Services Act. The application due date is Friday, May 21, 2021.
