Funding secured for low-income senior housing in Columbus as part of Georgia-wide effort

A new government funding bill passed by the Senate will help to house approximately 130 low-income senior residents in Columbus.

The state of Georgia will receive federal funding totaling $207 million for 74 projects across the state after advocacy from Senator Raphael Warnock, according to a news release on the senator’s website.

Warnock helped secure $2.5 million for Providence Pointe, the low-income senior rental phase of Elliott’s Walk in south Columbus, according to information provided by Warnock’s team.

Warnock told the Ledger-Enquirer that growing up in south Georgia he saw firsthand the challenges of securing affordable housing.

“My parents worked very hard every single day and still they couldn’t afford a home until years after I left for college and grad school,” said Warnock. “When I look at what’s going on in Columbus, I saw a particular need.”

Warnock said he “leaned in” on funding for Columbus.

“I was struck by the fact that there had been no housing developments built in south Columbus in over 50 years, “ Warnock said. “That’s an area that has been sorely neglected.”

Warnock said regarding the funding, “It meets a need and I’m glad we were able to respond.”

“I’ve been focused on housing since my earliest days in the senate, and I will remain focused on housing,” Warnock said.

“Housing is dignity, it’s security, and it’s prosperity,” he later said.

Warnock told the Ledger-Enquirer that he reintroduced the “Downpayment Toward Equity Act” last week that would help provide support for would-be first-generation homeowners, according to the senator.

LaGrange development

Another $1.6 million in funding was also secured for West Georgia Star Inc. to fund new construction of affordable housing in LaGrange, according to information provided by Warnock’s team.