2027 CHIP Application Frequently Asked Questions

Georgia city and county governments, public government authorities, and nonprofits with 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(4) status. Current CHIP awardees may apply if they have spent more than 50% of their current award.

The 13 cities and counties that receive HOME funds directly from HUD: Albany, Athens-Clarke County, Atlanta, Augusta-Richmond County, Clayton County, Cobb County, Columbus-Muscogee County, DeKalb County, Fulton County, Gwinnett County, Henry County, Macon-Bibb County, and Savannah. Any applicant whose current CHIP award is less than 50 percent spent by the application deadline is ineligible.

Yes. Nonprofits and authorities located inside the 13 direct HUD grantee jurisdictions may still apply.

Tier 1 is for applicants that have never received a state or federal housing award. They are scored mainly based on community need, local planning and support, and basic readiness. Tier 2 is for applicants with a housing award track record. They are scored on past performance: how many awards they have had and how well those were carried out.

Each tier is scored on its own criteria. DCA awards funds to the highest-scoring applicants in Tier 1 and Tier 2. Ask CHIP staff how funds are split between tiers.

Yes. Nonprofits must comply with O.C.G.A. §§ 50-20-1 through 50-20-8 when they apply and throughout the grant. Local governments must meet the audit and grant certification rules in O.C.G.A. §§ 36-81-7 and 36-81-8.1.

Homeowners and homebuyers whose income is below 80% of the area median income for their county. They must live in the home as their primary residence and be U.S. citizens or lawful residents.

CHIP funds two types of activities. First, owner-occupied rehabilitation, including rebuilding a home on the same footprint. Second, new construction, reconstruction, or acquisition and rehab of 1–4 unit single-family homes for sale to eligible homebuyers.

DCA expects to award up to $10 million in this round. DCA may award more, less, or none.

$500,000 for owner-occupied rehab and $1,500,000 for new construction. DCA may raise the maximum for applicants with enough capacity and target-area need.

$500 for rehab and $1,000 for new construction. Pay by check by the application deadline to the Georgia Housing and Finance Authority. Please mail the check to:

Attn: CHIP Manager, Georgia Department of Community Affairs
60 Executive Park South, N.E.
Atlanta, GA 30329

A returned check carries a $35 fee, and the application will not be scored.

For a rehab project, you may charge up to $7,500 per CHIP-funded home. New construction projects allow for up to 5 percent  of the HOME-funded total development cost.

For new construction, up to 20 percent of CHIP-funded development costs, excluding land value when acquisition funds are used. The fee may be reduced if the developer and contractor share an identity of interest. An applicant acting as its own developer cannot take both a project delivery fee and a developer fee.

No more than 50 percent of CHIP funds.

At least $1,000 and up to $40,000, set by DCA underwriting to fill the gap between the cost of construction and what is affordable for the homebuyer. This assistance is an interest-free, forgivable loan with a 5- to 15-year affordability period, depending on the amount.

When repair costs would be more than 75 percent of the home's value. The new home is built on the same footprint.

As a 0 percent deferred payment loan, forgiven if the owner keeps the home as their main residence for the affordability period.

Sunday, January 31, 2027, at 11:59 p.m. Late applications are not considered.

Yes, for new construction only. Email the CHIP Pre-Application Screening Form to [email protected] by November 15, 2026. CHIP staff will send a readiness recommendation by December 1, 2026. New construction applicants who skip the pre-screen are not eligible.

Through DCA's Emphasys Application Collector Portal. Register for an account on your first visit, then choose "Fill Out an Application." You will get a confirmation email when it goes through. Mail the fee check separately.

• Most recent audited financial statements, or year-end financials if no audit is required
• Certified Assurances form
• Self-Score Sheet form
• Affirmative Fair Housing Marketing Plan, MBE/WBE Plan, and Language Access Plan (DCA templates are in the application manual)
• Experience narrative
• GICH alumni documentation
• GICH letter of support (nonprofits and housing authorities)
• PlanFirst documentation, if applicable
• Nonprofit IRS determination letter (nonprofits only) 

A housing conditions narrative with a target-area map, poverty rate, share of homes over 40 years old, average home age, and code-enforcement data. Include four sample homes with addresses, two local business support letters. If you are a Tier 2 applicant, you must also submit three homeowner testimonials. Also attach the independent inspector's license, a contractor list with licenses and insurance, a leverage budget, and a homeowner waitlist if you have one.

A target-area narrative and map, a real estate market analysis, a homebuyer proforma, a construction budget, a lender commitment letter, zoning approval, site control, and a development partner list. Add construction plans (meeting visibility standards) and a Phase 1 environmental screening if available. Tier 2 applicants also report the status and photos of current CHIP projects.

A warranty deed, a legally binding purchase contract, or a binding ground lease of at least 45 years, in the name of the applicant or ownership entity.

DCA scores each application on the score sheet for its tier and activity. Tier 1 focuses on need, planning, and readiness. Tier 2 adds past performance. The 2027 score sheets are posted on the CHIP Documents & Downloads page. Complete the Self-Score Sheet and include it.

If DCA staff ask for additional information, please respond within 3 business days.

DCA will post results on its website and notify applicants in writing. DCA intends to sign agreements with selected applicants by September 1, 2027.

No. It is optional.

Run a formal, documented procurement and finish it at least 30 days before you submit. Applicants using their local Regional Commission are exempt from this procurement.

No. Application costs must come from local or other non-HOME sources. DCA encourages a contingent contract, so the administrator is paid only if you are funded.

• A selection committee of at least three members, each free of conflicts of interest
• Contact at least seven known providers for application and administration services, or ten for architecture and engineering
• Allow 30 days for responses
• Set scoring criteria in advance: HOME experience, capacity, past performance, workload, fees, and Section 3 status
• Do a cost or price analysis for every procurement 

$25,000 under DCA CHIP guidance.

Only with DCA's prior approval. This applies to professional services of any amount and to other contracts over $25,000.

Yes, cost-plus-a-percentage-of-cost and percentage-of-construction-cost contracts are not allowed.

Local governments and nonprofits that are not acting as developers must procure competitively. Nonprofits acting as developers are exempt. Public housing and redevelopment authorities may not act as developers and must procure competitively.

The manual does not set a minimum match percentage. Rehab applicants must submit a leverage budget, and leverage strengthens any application. Match may be cash or in-kind, such as waived fees or taxes, donated land, donated materials or labor, sweat equity, supportive services, or homebuyer counseling.

Three years from DCA's contract start date to spend all funds and complete all activities, including final inspections. One 1-year extension is available. Details are in the CHIP Administrative Manual.

Each home must have a certificate of occupancy and have been sold to an income-eligible homebuyer. A home without a ratified sales contract within 12 months of its certificate of occupancy must be converted to a HOME-funded rental unit.

No. Do not acquire property, sign contracts, or start construction or rehab until DCA issues the Authority to Release Grant Funds letter after the environmental review (24 CFR Part 58). Acting early can cost you the grant.

At minimum HUD NSPIRE standards, plus applicable local, state, and zoning codes at completion. New construction must also follow Georgia construction codes, the International Energy Conservation Code, and visitability requirements.

Only to contracts with 12 or more HOME-assisted units, along with the Contract Work Hours and Safety Standards Act.

Homes built before 1978 must follow 24 CFR Part 35. Rehab homes built before 1978 must be tested.

Section 3 (24 CFR Part 75), fair housing, Title VI, Section 504, Executive Order 11246, HOME conflict-of-interest rules (24 CFR 92.356), and debarment rules (24 CFR Part 5). State rules include immigration and lawful presence verification, nonprofit contractor rules, and a drug-free workplace.

Yes. Every homebuyer must receive pre-purchase counseling from a HUD-approved housing counseling agency. The awardee must contract with that agency.

They must keep the home as their main residence for the affordability period. For homebuyers, if they do not, DCA recaptures the net proceeds.

Email [email protected]. Forms, score sheets, and webinar slides are on the CHIP Documents & Downloads page.