GICH Conference comes to Toccoa (from AM630WNEG Radio)

A state housing conference visits Stephens County.

The Georgia Initiative for Community Housing Conference wraps up today in Toccoa.

The conference began on Wednesday. That day, Toccoa leaders took some of the conference members on a tour of the city and some of its housing developments.

Toccoa Planning Director Connie Tabor said the goal was to give them a look at what the Toccoa Initiative for Community Housing is doing.

“We toured Imperial Place,” she said. “Then, we went through the downtown area to showcase our historic district. From there, we went to the new Habitat for Humanity house that is being built on Broad Street. Then, we ended up showing them the urban redevelopment plan area of the Trogdon Heritage District, which included Elberton, Avon, and Spring streets.”

Tabor said the city was looking to show its progress, as well as get ideas for the challenges they face.

At least one official on the tour was impressed.

Georgia Initiative for Community Housing Conference Organizing Committee Member Tom Rodgers said he saw a lot of positives on the tour.

He pointed specifically to Imperial Place and the Habitat house as specific areas that stuck out to him.

“We saw some pretty good evidence that Toccoa is moving along pretty good in housing,” said Rodgers.

Toccoa is one of the communities taking part in the Georgia Initiative for Community Housing program. A city goes through the program for three years to complete it.

Rodgers said the program deals with an issue facing all communities, the need to provide affordable housing.

“Toccoa, like most Georgia communities this size and smaller, has a big challenge in providing decent, affordable housing and that is what our program is about, so we love to have communities like Toccoa that have the need, but are also getting it done.”

Toccoa is in its second year in the program. Tabor said the goal is to provide affordable housing options for city residents through renovating houses, helping fill in empty areas with housing, and educating homeowners.

In addition, she said, hosting the conference, with over 100 people from areas around the state visiting, is a great opportunity.

“I talked with some folks that had never been to Toccoa before,” said Tabor. “It gives them an opportunity to see what we have to offer. We want them to come back and see more.”
As part of the group’s visit, a reception and tour of the Currahee Military Museum was also held Wednesday, with Toccoa Mayor Ron Seib and other local officials welcoming the attendees.