Simon along with Former Chair Billy Croker and Commissioner Gretchen Corbin
ATLANTA (Aug. 13, 2014) — The Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA) has named Simon Bloom as the new chair of the DCA board.
Bloom, previously the board’s vice chair, is a trial attorney and founding partner at Bloom Sugarman Everett. Specializing in the real estate industry, Bloom has represented builders and developers across the United States both when their bull dozers are cranking and during the recent downturn. This deep knowledge of the industry and the relationships Bloom has developed is well-aligned with DCA’s many initiatives.
“I’m excited about what potential there is for the DCA to roll up its sleeves and further ignite Georgia’s economic development initiatives,” Bloom said. “This organization touches the lives of millions across the state from facilitating loans for first-time homebuyers and saving homeowners from foreclosure or homelessness to offering housing tax credits to bringing governments, communities, and businesses together to achieve economic development goals and create jobs.”
Programs like OneGeorgia which provides funding for rural Georgia economic development and job creation projects, and Main Street and Downtown Development, which helps cities create a business-friendly atmosphere to achieve specific community goals, are just two of the numerous examples of where the DCA is making a real difference. Specifically, the DCA has:
· Managed nearly $400 million in state and federal funding for Georgia’s communities;
· Leveraged $12.5 million in EDGE and REBA state funds to generate $1 billion in private
· Maintained an AAA Bond rating for the Georgia Housing Finance Authority, which is one investment, creating 6,866 new jobs and retaining 1,659 jobs in 18 Georgia locations; of only 13 state housing agencies in the nation to achieve and maintain this recognition for sound management and investment practices;
· Served more than 15,000 Georgia families through the Housing Choice Voucher
· Helped Georgia Main Street communities add 3,583 net new jobs and 593 net new Program- adding more than $96 million to Georgia’s economy each year through direct payments to private landlords; businesses in 96 cities around the state, while adding 19 start-up communities to the program – the largest class of new cities in a single year for any of the 50 states;
· Assisted more than 5,400 individuals and families in 124 Georgia counties through the HomeSafe Georgia program since 2011, committing more than $110 million in U.S. Treasury funding to help keep unemployed/under-employed homeowners from foreclosure. For FY14, these figures reflect a 32% increase in applications, a 42% increase in approvals, and a 90% increase in funds paid over FY13.
“I’m honored to be serving as Chair of an organization that for more than three decades has provided critical support to communities large and small around the state of Georgia,” Bloom said. “Dirt is moving in Georgia again, and the DCA is primed to make sure that all benefit.”