GA SB508

Creates a voluntary certification system where counties (population 50,000+) and municipalities (population 6,500+) can earn "workforce housing ready community," "workforce housing ready expert," or "workforce and home ownership leader" status from the Department of Community Affairs by adopting specified pro-housing policies

Certified local governments receive priority for state grants and loans from the Department of Natural Resources (recreational trails program), Department of Community Affairs, and Georgia Environmental Finance Authority; the highest-tier certified communities are exempt from matching fund requirements for local road maintenance grants

Qualifying policies span four tiers and include measures such as: allowing accessory dwelling units and duplexes, reducing minimum lot sizes and square footage requirements, permitting townhomes and small multifamily structures in single-family zones, reducing parking minimums, and streamlining permit processes

Certification requires adopting 10 policies (basic tier), 15 policies (expert tier), or 20 policies (leader tier), with minimum requirements from each policy tier; certifications must be reverified every five years and can be revoked if policies lapse

Department of Community Affairs must annually publish population and median household income data for all Georgia counties and municipalities beginning January 1, 2027; certification applications may be submitted starting July 1, 2027