Part of the "ASCENDERS" initiative
Create Employer-Assisted Housing incentives for eligible employees to live and invest in intown Augusta communities immediately surrounding their place of employment. The program would provide three housing options: assistance for purchasing a new or existing home, assistance for renting, and matching funds for exterior improvements on already-owned property in the designated area. Augusta University is recommended as the lead institution, with expected participation from other employers such as Fort Gordon, Unisys, and area hospitals.
Tracks increased demand for quality housing and amenities.
Tracks second-year rental assistance for new renters to the district.
Tracks support for the vitality of downtown Augusta.
Tracks rehab assistance amount per application.
Tracks recommended first-year homeowner assistance participants.
Tracks expected participation of employers after Augusta University begins the program.
Tracks short, free commutes, especially the ability to walk or bike.
Tracks recommended first-year rental assistance participants.
Tracks minimum project size for existing homeowner exterior improvement assistance.
Tracks website design and establishment budget.
Tracks opening the program for applications and participants.
Tracks expansion to other employer partnerships such as Fort Gordon.
Tracks recommended first-year assistance allocation.
Tracks contribution to neighborhood revitalization in Augusta’s core neighborhoods.
Tracks salary for the employee charged with educating employers and helping market the program.
Tracks recommended first-year rehab applications.
Tracks the number of housing incentive options provided by the program.
Tracks economic diversity and growth in intown neighborhoods.
Tracks creation of a pilot program for University employees.
Tracks homeowner assistance amount range per approved participant.
Tracks rental assistance amount per participant used in the budget.
Tracks University sponsorship and potential Community Foundation grant assistance for the pilot.
Tracks Augusta University’s role as program lead.
Tracks creation of Employer-Assisted Housing incentives involving Augusta University, INSPIRE Augusta, Inc., and other participating Augusta employers.
Tracks outside developer investment in housing capacity.
Tracks increased tax base in neighborhoods with significantly higher tax rates than suburban areas.
Tracks administration of the Live Augusta program.
Tracks happier and happy employees as an employer benefit.
Tracks quality of housing and availability near work for new residents as a measure of success.
Tracks more in-town residents and revitalized neighborhoods as a measure of success.
Tracks establishment of program boundaries.
Tracks annual website maintenance contingency.
Tracks increased tax base for the city as a measure of success.
Tracks first-year rental assistance for new renters to the district.
Tracks matching funds available to existing homeowners for exterior improvements.
Tracks establishment of partners, funding, and program guidelines.
Tracks administrative staffing needed for the program.
Tracks contribution to revitalization of the Technology Park and Innovation District.
Tracks creation of a website as the central clearinghouse for program and district information.
Tracks further economic development and investment from residential growth in intown neighborhoods.
Tracks down payment assistance for new homeowners to the district.
At least one employee to educate employers and help market the program: $50,000 salary; first-year housing assistance allocation: $450,000, including 15 homeowner assistance participants at $10,000-$20,000 each, 20 rental assistance participants at $2,500 each, and 10-20 rehab applications at $5,000 each; website design and establishment: $250; annual website maintenance contingency: $14.95 using a Weebly Pro site.