Rotarians Hear about Workforce Housing Developments
Monday, August 11, 2025

Kent Sanford, Executive Director of the Greater Gilmer Joint Development Authority was our speaker at the August 11 club meeting, sharing important Updates on Workforce Housing in Gilmer County. After sharing statistics that clearly supported the need to the construction of housing aimed at meeting the needs of our middle income work force, he shared the story of Overlook at Ellijay, just west of town and visible over his right shoulder in the picture above. We were at the Gilmer Schools Administrative offices (sorry for the poor picture quality). Kent said, "Overlook Ellijay is an effort to bring some balance back to the housing availability in our community at a price point that hasn’t been occurring for many years. It’s only 50 units, but will have a major impact on 50 local families." He also committed to seek applications from locals first when rentals begin.

This is a development of 50 units by Georgia Communities (see https://www.georgiacommunities.org) a non-profit that has done about 45 affordable housing projects across the Southeast over the last 20+ years. Their Mission: Georgia Communities, Inc. is dedicated to increasing the supply of critically needed workforce and affordable senior housing.  We believe that thoughtful investment in our housing infrastructure - planned and delivered in partnership with local leaders - elevates our communities by creating opportunities for those who need them the most.