Ossoff announces affordable housing funds to build Micah's Creek neighborhood in Athens

U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff visited Athens on Wednesday to announce funding for an affordable housing project that is expected to provide 40 homes in a neighborhood that will be developed and designed by the Athens Area Habitat for Humanity.

Ossoff secured the $2.8 million in funds in an appropriations bill that passed Congress in December.

The Micah’s Creek community is planned for an undeveloped section of woodlands just east of downtown and near the major intersection of the Athens Perimeter and Lexington Road.

“This project, as soon as it was brought to my attention, it immediately excited me because it was an opportunity to build affordable housing to serve Athens where the cost of housing is a crisis as it is in so many communities across the state of Georgia and across the country,” Ossoff said.

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The bill, the senator said, was passed with “overwhelming support” by Republicans and Democrats showing that factional disputes can be put aside to help people.

A news conference announcing the grant was held near the Micah’s Creek development in an existing Habitat for Humanity housing development along Carpenter’s Circle.

State Rep. Spencer Frye, executive director of the Athens Area Habitat, said the grant will enable the building of an infrastructure for the neighborhood.

“Helping us with the roads and sewer costs is paramount in getting this project going,” said Frye.

Frye said the houses will be sold mostly to people with children attending Gaines Elementary School, a goal that he says will show that housing policy is also economic, education and healthcare policy.

A long-term University of Georgia study will look at how home ownership will affect the growth of children living in the neighborhood, according to Frye.

Construction of the first home in Micah’s Creek could begin in the fall, according to Frye, who said the organization is currently working with the city in terms of planning, such as the roads and detention ponds.

Potential homeowners are already making applications for the houses, which are sold with mortgages with 0% interest rates to qualified homeowners. Frye described those applicants as “hardworking Athenians,” who otherwise could not afford a house in Athens.

The new neighborhood was named by Frye after a verse in the Bible’s Book of Micah.

A small stream flows through the wooded area that will become the neighborhood of new homeowners.

“I named it Micah’s Creek after Micah 6:8, which is to “do justice, love mercy and walk humbly,” Frye said. “That’s an important message I’ve been trying to deliver in every event I go to.”

This article originally appeared on Athens Banner-Herald: Sen. Ossoff visits Athens to announce funding for affordable housing