The Douglas Team for the Georgia Initiative for Community Housing has received Alumni status as a GICH Community. In 2026, 44 communities as part of the Georgia Initiative for Community Housing (GICH) were successfully certified as “Alumni” following review of submitted documentation and program participation requirements. 

“We are working diligently with developers to help address the housing needs of citizens,” says Assistant City Manager/Community Development Director, Georgia Henderson. “The Alumni Certification reflects the City of Douglas’ continued commitment to housing planning, community engagement, and implementation of affordable housing strategies.”

According to the Georgia Department of Community Affairs, the purpose of “Alumni” certification is to encourage current GICH teams to continue their efforts of addressing affordable housing issues and shortages within their communities by using the Housing Plan document developed while participating in the program. Certified alumni communities are eligible for additional incentives through DCA’s Housing Tax Credit, Community HOME Investment Program, and Community Development Block Grant programs.  

Alumni certification is a yearly application and each application was evaluated through a standardized scoring process requiring the completion of four key criteria, including updating their GICH team roster, attendance at one GICH retreat in 2025, holding at least two team meetings with a majority of active team members in attendance in 2025, and updating their GICH housing plan within the last three years OR having their updated plan incorporated into a local planning document in the past three years. 

In all, there are currently 44 certified alumni communities and 5 recent graduates. GICH offers communities a three-year program of collaboration and technical assistance related to housing and community development. GICH is a three-year program that helps communities improve their quality of life and economic vitality through locally driven housing and revitalization strategies. The Initiative aims to help communities create and launch a locally based plan to meet their housing needs.

Douglas GICH Team members are Matt Seale, Chris Calhoun, Joy Vickers, Lee Mobley, Delois Johnson, Clara Graham, Dexter Taylor, Jessica Rios, and Ward 1 City Commissioner Edwin Taylor.