…Georgia’s Oldest and Second Largest Housing Authority was created by a Resolution of the City Council of Augusta.
December 13, 1937, Mayor Richard E. Allen, Jr. of the City of Augusta, Georgia signed into effect the resolution that indicated: a “need for a housing authority in the city of Augusta, in that unsanitary and unsafe dwelling accommodations, exist in said City, and there is a shortage of safe and sanitary dwelling accommodations in said City available to person of low income at rentals they can afford.” On December 21, 1937, the Mayor appointed the first commissioners of the Housing Authority Board, recognizing: Elbert P. Peabody, Richard Reid, Lee Blum, John E. Hines, and E.C. Peters. On December 27, 1937, the Board met for the first time in the Directors’ Assembly Room of the National Exchange Bank to organize the Housing Authority, adopt by-laws, a seal, and elect officers.
The first cooperative agreement between the City of Augusta, Georgia and the Housing Authority of the City of Augusta, Georgia dates to March 31, 1938. Additionally, that day holds the original contract between the two entities for the “elimination of unsanitary and unsafe dwellings.”
Olmsted Homes was completed in late 1939 and fully occupied (167 units) by March 1940.
Today, Augusta Housing Authority – like other Housing Authorities across the nation – is an Independent Corporation authorized by enabling Federal Legislation and created in accordance with the Housing Authorities Law of the State of Georgia. It operates under the supervision of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Evaluated annually through the Public Housing Assessment System (PHAS) – a method used by HUD for judging the successful operation of a housing authority, the Housing Authority scores a HIGH PERFORMING status for both their Section 8 (SEMAP) and Public Housing Programs. Because of those scores, the Housing Authority is more likely to be eligible for grants from Federal & State sources. Many of the award-winning programs that enhance the lives of AHA residents are funded through those sources.
Main Telephone Number: (706) 724-5466
TDD: (706) 724-0130