HUD Awards $1 Million to Southwest Georgia Regional Commission to Promote Senior Safety and Aging in Place
The Southwest Georgia Regional Commission (SWGRC), located in Camilla, Georgia, has been awarded a $1,000,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) under the Older Adults Home Modification Program (OAHMP). This funding will enable SWGRC to complete essential safety and functional home modifications for 100 eligible senior homeowners and renters aged 62 and older in rural areas, ensuring safer living environments and promoting successful aging in place.
This initiative focuses on addressing home hazards that may otherwise force seniors to leave their homes, such as fall risks and accessibility challenges. The grant allows for targeted modifications tailored to the needs of low-income seniors, empowering them to maintain their independence while improving their overall quality of life.
Enhancing Safety for Southwest Georgia Seniors
SWGRC’s efforts under this grant will focus on low-cost, high-impact modifications such as:
- Installing grab bars and handrails.
- Improving lighting to reduce fall risks.
- Enhancing bathroom accessibility.
- Repairing and maintaining home structures to ensure safety.
By reducing hazards and promoting fall prevention, the program ensures that seniors can continue living comfortably and independently in their own homes.
With this funding, the Southwest Georgia Regional Commission continues its vital work of improving lives and empowering seniors to remain safe and comfortable in their homes. The program not only benefits individual residents but also strengthens the social and economic fabric of rural Southwest Georgia.
Contact Information
For more details about the Southwest Georgia Regional Commission’s OAHMP project, please contact Barbara Reddick at breddick@swgrc.org
or call (229) 522-3552.
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Miller County Transit Development Plan (TDP) in Development
The Southwest Georgia Regional Commission is currently developing a Transit Development Plan (TDP) for Lee County. This effort aims to strengthen coordination and collaboration while supporting local planning and informational needs. The plan is funded through a planning grant from GDOT (5304) and is intended to serve as a guiding resource for the county and its municipalities. This plan is prepared with data compiled from several sources, including U.S. Census Bureau data, American Community Survey results, the community’s most recent Comprehensive Plan, GDOT’s adopted Regional Transit Development Plan, GDOT’s Statewide Transit Plan, community input survey results, community websites, and Southwest Georgia Regional Transit trip data. Lee County, its municipalities, and GDOT, will be encouraged to use this plan to help inform future decisions related to rural public transit services. Community Input Meetings Two meetings are scheduled for Friday, May 8, 2026: 9:30 AM-10:30 AM at the Leesburg Library 1:00 PM-2:00 PM at the Oakland Library Download the flyer which includes a QR code for easy access to the survey. The survey does not have to be completed at the scheduled meetings. The survey can be completed at any time, and a direct link to the survey is also provided here . Additionally, I encourage anyone to reach out to me by phone if they do not have internet access or cannot attend the meeting using the contact information below: Amanda Nava-Estill Director of Transportation (229) 552-3552 x108
BJA FY25 De-escalation and Crisis Response Training Program This funding opportunity supports state, local, and tribal governments, law enforcement agencies, correctional facilities, probation and parole departments, and sheriff’s departments in developing, implementing, or expanding de-escalation and crisis response training programs that improve law enforcement responses to and outcomes for individuals in crisis who have behavioral health conditions, intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DDs), physical disabilities, and/or traumatic brain injuries. Eligible Applicants: State governments, county governments, city or township governments, special district governments, federally recognized Native American tribal governments, other units of local government, public and state-controlled institutions of higher education with on-campus police departments, public or state-controlled hospitals with on-campus police departments (see NOFO for full details). Application Deadlines: May 27 11:59PM EST for submission to Grants.Gov and June 3, 8:59PM EST for submission to JustGrants. --- BJA FY25 Rural Law Enforcement Violent Crime Reduction Initiative This funding opportunity seeks to support local law enforcement in rural jurisdictions to prevent, respond to, and reduce violent crime. The goal is to equip rural law enforcement agencies and prosectors’ offices with the resources necessary to implement a violent crime reduction strategy to solve a specific violent crime challenge. Eligible Applicants: State governments, county governments, city or township governments, special district governments, federally recognized Native American tribal governments, other units of local government (see NOFO for full details). Application Deadlines: May 27, 11:59PM EST for submission to Grants.Gov and June 3, 8:59PM EST for submission to JustGrants. --- OJJDP FY25 Youth Gang Prevention and Intervention Program This funding opportunity supports the implementation of intervention and suppression strategies to reduce youth gang crime and violence and promote public safety. These strategies will help to prevent youth from joining gangs, discontinue involvement in gangs, and prevent and reduce additional youth gang violence. Eligible Applicants: State governments, county governments, city or township governments, special district governments, federally recognized Native American tribal governments, other units of local government (see NOFO for full details). Application Deadlines: May 21, 11:59PM EST for submission to Grants.Gov and June 1, 8:59PM EST for submission to JustGrants.
Bainbridge, GA October 28-29, 2026 In-Person: 2-day conference The DCA Office of Planning, in partnership with the Georgia Planning Association, offers a series of classes called the Community Planning Institute to Georgia’s planning commissioners, elected officials and local government staff. The Institute provides information about planning for land use, growth and development. This is especially helpful for those communities that will be updating their local comprehensive plan in the coming year. Registration opens in June. $300
