GA HB689

Establishes a homelessness prevention program within Georgia's existing Housing Trust Fund for the Homeless, targeting low-income persons at risk of eviction or housing instability

Expands "qualified sponsors" eligible for trust fund disbursements to include legal services agencies serving homeless/low-income persons, eviction mediation providers, coalitions operating emergency rental assistance portals, and local housing authorities

Requires the commission to develop an application process and publish uniform statewide minimum standards for homelessness prevention programs by January 1, 2026

Certified programs may provide short-term emergency rental and utilities assistance, legal representation in eviction proceedings, landlord-tenant mediation, or operate single-point-of-entry portals for rental assistance applications

Application approval criteria include the number of persons likely served, applicant's ability to leverage additional funding, geographic distribution of existing programs, and quality of assistance offered