Initiative for Affordable Housing

MISSION
To provide permanent, affordable housing to homeless and low-income families. Initiative is also committed to the provision of necessary supportive services to empower families to reach their personal goals and independence.

WHO WE ARE
Initiative for Affordable Housing, Inc. is a private non-profit agency, founded in 1990 by two churches with long histories of social involvement in the local community. The agency is located in DeKalb County but serves homeless families who are from all around the Atlanta metropolitan area. Initiative owns and maintains over 30 single-family homes, as well as two apartment complexes with 228 rental units. Construction started in September, 2002 for Magnolia Circle to provide 84 additional units of affordable housing for the elderly in South DeKalb.

WHAT WE DO
Initiative offers homeless families permanent, affordable housing, along with the supportive services and resources to help make a house, (or an apartment), a home. Unique in its response to the community’s diverse needs, Initiative provides a safety net of social services and affordable housing that is time limited and tailored to each family’s needs. Families may choose to work toward purchasing one of the homes owned by Initiative, purchasing another home on the market or moving into a permanent rental. Committed to the philosophy that offering a place to live is only the first step in helping families along the path out of homelessness, the agency offers:

Case Management by Experienced Social Workers -

Initial intake and evaluation; assessment of family’s coping skills
Plan of action to outline family’s short and long-term goals, with timelines

Progress measured and barriers hindering achievement of goals evaluated quarterly

On-site counseling regarding resources and programs at multi-family complexes

Life-Enrichment Training -

Debt repayment plans, creating realistic budget plans
Parenting, household management skills
Workplace skills, career assessment

Dressing for success

Special Resources -

Transportation cards

Subsidies for safe, quality childcare
Individual/family therapy
Furnishings, food vouchers, cleaning supplies

Homeownership -

Paycheck savings plan
Low-interest Loan Opportunities
Homebuyers orientation education
Post-homebuyer counseling