How to Apply

The information below outlines the GICH 2026 application process, including links to live informational webinars. All municipal and county governments in Georgia that are recognized as Qualified Local Governments (QLGs) by the Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA), as well as local public housing authorities, are eligible to apply for the GICH program.

For the 2026 application cycle, all Letters of Intent (LOIs) and completed applications must be submitted electronically through online submission portal. Prospective communities must submit their LOIs by 5:00 PM on Friday, July 10, 2026. Completed applications are due no later than 5:00 PM EST on Friday, July 31, 2026. Late submissions will not be accepted.

A link to a PDF printable version of the application is provided below for review and distribution. However, only applications submitted through the official online portal will be considered.

If you have any questions about the application process, please contact Jermaine Durham, GICH Program Director, at (706) 542-4949 or Jermaine.Durham@uga.edu.

GICH Application Schedule of Events 2025

Event Date(s)
Application Release Wednesday, May 6th

Live Informational Webinars

Click here access the zoom link for the GICH 2026 Application Informational Webinars & Q&A (No registration required)

Click here to acces the GICH 2026 Informational Webinar Slides (Forthcoming)

Webinars

Friday, May 29th (10:00AM -11:30AM) 

Friday, June 26th (10:00AM -11:30AM) 

Application Q&A 

Friday, July 24th (10:00AM - 11:00AM)

Letter of Intent Due

Click here to access GICH 2026 LOI submission page

Friday, July 10th by 5:00pm EST

Application Material

Click here to access GICH 2026 application submission page.

Click here to download the printable version of the GICH 2026 application.

Click here to download the GICH Housing Team Identification Form

Thursday, July 31st by 5:00pm EST

Site Visits to Finalist Communities Late August & Early September
Selection Announcement During GICH 2026 Fall Retreat
Pre-retreat Orientation Meeting January 2027 
First Retreat for Newly Inducted Communities Spring 2027
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