Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA) Commissioner Mike Beatty announced the unveiling of www.GeorgiaHousingSearch.org, a new website designed to link Georgians with a wide range of rental housing choices. The website was developed by DCA and NPI/Socialserve.com.

"Georgia's special quality of life can be linked directly to the strength and vitality of its communities. Housing, especially the ability to access affordable housing, plays an essential role in determining the economic health and growth prospects for our communities," said Commissioner Mike Beatty.

"Around the state, we've heard stories of Georgians involved in lengthy searches for affordable rental housing. We've also heard property owners discuss ways to enhance their outreach efforts to make sure that prospective tenants know of their existence.

"In recent weeks, DCA has worked with property owners around the state to populate the website's database. Thanks to an outstanding team effort between Georgia property owners, SocialServe.com and DCA's affordable housing experts, we are launching this website - www.GeorgiaHousingSearch.org - with approximately 4,000 properties from 87 counties," added Beatty.

Properties listed on the website include housing offered by private landlords and public entities. Many of the affordable rental units developed through DCA's multi-family tax credit program are also listed.

"This is welcome news for Georgia residents who have long wanted a reliable, easy-to-use system that could connect them to rental housing properties around the state. It's also timely, given the influx of Hurricane Katrina evacuees who will soon begin searches for intermediate and long-term housing," added Beatty.

Just Four Clicks To Statewide Inventory of Rental Housing

Prospective tenants will have just four steps to access affordable housing options in the location of their choice.

STEP ONE: Visit www.GeorgiaHousingSearch.org and select "Search For Rental Properties."

STEP TWO: Select the county for a search of all properties countywide or select the city or town within that county for a listing of properties in that area.

STEP THREE: Review the list of properties in the selected area.

STEP FOUR: Select a property listing and review specific property features.

Each property listing will provide summary information to help prospective tenants narrow their choices. Information includes address (including city and zip code), number of bedrooms and bathrooms, monthly rent and deposit, contact person with telephone numbers, available rental date and other useful details.

Specific property information may highlight amenities, accessibility features for individuals with physical disabilities, acceptance of Housing Vouchers (Section 8) and the distance to recreation, shopping and public transportation.

The site supports property searches in English and Spanish. It also allows prospective tenants to access directions. Many listings also feature photographs.

Concluded Beatty: "We're excited about the website and its ability to connect interested parties. We extend a special invitation to Georgia's property owners to input their information and help us make this site as useful as possible. We also invite those looking for rental housing to visit www.GeorgiaHousingSearch.org at their earliest opportunity. This site was created with their needs in mind."

Socialseserve.com is a program of Non-Profit Industries (NPI), a national not-for-profit 501(c)(3) charitable organization dedicated to developing leading-edge, easy-to-use Web applications that give agencies, municipalities and the general public access to tools and information that make it easier to find affordable housing and program information. Established in Charlotte, North Carolina in 1999, Socialserve.com has been recognized by the US Conference of Mayors and the National Housing Institute. To date, ten states and numerous housing authorities have partnered with Socialserve.com to create useful technology applications.

The Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA) was created in 1977 to serve as an advocate for local governments. DCA operates a host of state and federal grant programs; serves as the state's lead agency in housing finance and development; promulgates building codes to be adopted by local governments; provides comprehensive planning, technical and research assistance to local governments; and serves as the lead agency for the state's solid waste reduction efforts.

For more information, please visit the DCA website at: www.dca.state.ga.us.