Nonprofit to Open Community Hub in July 2023 Granting Access to Invaluable Home Ownership Programs for Families in Need
Gwinnett Housing Corporation (GHC) is pleased to announce the opening of Gwinnett County’s first Homeowner Resource Center. To aid in its development, GHC was proud to partner with Norcross’s Downtown Development Authority to facilitate the building acquisition at 128 Lawrenceville Street in Norcross. The nonprofit also partnered with HomeAid Atlanta and Lennar to renovate the building.
“I am truly grateful for our partnership with HomeAid Atlanta,” said Tom Bowers, Vice President of Operations for Lennar Atlanta. “It provided us the opportunity to connect with Gwinnett Housing Corporation and the Norcross DDA to work on this unique project. It’s nothing short of remarkable to know that this completed facility will allow Gwinnett residents to obtain the coveted dream of home ownership.”
With its sights set on officially opening the center’s doors to the public in July 2023, GHC hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the site on June 5. Local leaders in attendance included Gwinnett County Chairwoman Nicole Love Hendrickson; Gwinnett County Commissioner Kirkland Carden; City of Lawrenceville Mayor David Still and Council Members Marlene Crawford Taylor, Victoria Jones, and Austin Thompson; City of Norcross Council Members Matt Myers and Josh Bare; and City of Norcross Downtown Development Authority Members Lauren Summers, Will Shipley, and Jim Eyre. Martha Revello of Senator Raphael Warnock’s office and Kyra Reed of Congresswoman Lucy McBath’s office were also present.
Boasting a terrific turnout of supporters from all across the county, the event opened with an address from GHC Chief Executive Officer Lejla Prljaca about the growing housing crisis and lack of affordable homes in Gwinnett. During her speech, Prljaca revealed the steps GHC is taking to address the need and highlighted partners that will collaboratively work to ensure that more low-to-moderate-income residents in Gwinnett have the opportunity to become homeowners. The Center and its partners will also provide resources to low-to-moderate-income homeowners in Gwinnett that support the preservation of ownership of their current homes.
“The Norcross City Council and Staff, Downtown Development Authority, and I are all honored that our city is the birthplace of this first-of-its-kind offering for families in need in Gwinnett,” said Mayor Craig Newton. “As a Place to Imagine, Norcross offers the ideal setting for aspiring homebuyers not only to imagine but realize their dreams of homeownership.”
Through the Gwinnett Homeowner Resource Center, the Gwinnett Housing Corporation will provide programming in cooperation with other partner organizations, which include Habitat Gwinnett, Atlanta Neighborhood Development Partnership, Inc. (ANDP), Money Management International, Catholic Charities, Community Sustainability Enterprise, the Gwinnett County Housing Department, and Neighborhood Assistance Corporation of America (NACA). Programs will include housing counseling, referrals for down payment assistance, access to non-profit developers, lenders, owner-occupied rehabilitation, and home modification activities.
“We are very excited to offer this important resource to support Gwinnett families and preserve homeownership rates in Gwinnett County,” said Prljaca. “First-time home buyers are facing tremendous challenges today. They compete with investors making cash offers and waived contingencies, while historically high mortgage interest rates and increasing property taxes are diminishing their purchasing power. We are truly thankful to Norcross DDA and all of our partners for working with us to make this center a reality.”
In addition to home ownership programs, GHC provides access to affordable rental housing, transitional housing, and shelter assistance. To learn more about the Gwinnett Housing Corporation, its programs, and projects, please visit www.GwinnettHousing.org.
About The Gwinnett Housing Corporation: The Gwinnett Housing Corporation (GHC) was established in 1997 due to the overwhelming need for affordable housing in the area. GHC is a private, non-profit 501(c)3 development organization with a focus on creating, rehabilitating, and operating quality affordable residential housing. GHC is experienced in every aspect of housing, from construction and rehabilitation of for-sale affordable housing to low-income homebuyers, to maintenance and operations of affordable rental housing.
