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HB 1177

Development authorities; certain affordable housing uses of property qualify as projects; provide

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Buddy DeLoach and 5 co-sponsors

HB 1177 authorizes Georgia development authorities to finance affordable housing projects using economic development tools like tax increment financing and bond issuance.

House Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute
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Bill Summary · HB 1177

Legislative bill overview

HB 1177 expands Georgia's development authority laws to classify certain affordable housing projects as qualifying "projects" eligible for development authority support and incentives. This allows local development authorities to use their powers—including tax increment financing, bond issuance, and other economic development tools—to finance and facilitate affordable housing construction and preservation.

Why is this important

Georgia faces a significant affordable housing shortage, and development authorities currently have limited mechanisms to address it. By qualifying affordable housing as an eligible project type, local governments gain additional financial tools and flexibility to increase affordable unit supply without direct budget appropriations. This could increase housing availability for low-to-moderate income residents while leveraging existing economic development infrastructure.

Potential points of contention

  • Tax base concerns: Expanded use of tax increment financing for housing diverts future tax revenue from schools, counties, and other services that depend on property tax growth
  • Definition ambiguity: The bill's reference to "certain" affordable housing uses suggests the final definition may be narrow, potentially limiting effectiveness or creating disputes about which projects qualify
  • Development authority scope creep: Critics may argue development authorities should focus on commercial/industrial development rather than housing, questioning whether this represents mission drift

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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