Athens will have to find a way to build more *affordable* houses -- with *less* money. Newsource Reporter Eric Jones says federal budget cuts are literally hitting close to home. Eric, how are budget cuts in Washington targeting Athens housing.

The city may not be able to provide as much quality housing to the people who need it the most. Some big changes to affordable housing in Athens are on its way after Congress slashed federal funding for HOME -- a program which provides grants to build low income housing.

Heather Benham is the Housing Director at the Land Trust in Athens. Benham says the nonprofit organization won't be able to provide as many homes as before, and that these cuts don't come at the best possible time.

The Athens Clarke Human and Economic Development Department receives these HOME grants and distributes them to local nonprofits. The decision to cut federal funding means agencies like HED won't be able to do multiple projects at a time. But Community Economic Development Coordinator Teri Evans says they do have a safety net.

The Athens Banner Herald is reporting that the big cuts follow a Washington Post investigation that revealed almost fifteen percent of the country's construction projects were either delayed or incomplete. I was able to reach Congressman Paul Broun and he said in a statement that quote "We must continue to provide affordable housing for low income areas of our community, but this is most effectively done through local nonprofit groups and charities that are not run by the federal government."

With quality and cost efficient hosuing in the area already hard to find, the search to find homes for low income families will continue on.

The Housing and Economic Development Department encourages those looking for affordable housing to visit the athens clarke county website for a complete list of housing options.

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