First Ever Partners' Planning Meeting Changing the Landscape of Georgia

Partners breakout session working on major recommendations to create sustainable communities

Over three hundred partners throughout Georgia participated in HUD's first ever Partners' Planning Meeting at the Georgia International Convention Center just south of Atlanta in College Park, Georgia on September 13, 2011.

The Changing Landscape: Partnering to Create Sustainable Communities was the theme and focus of the meetings which consisted of major breakout sessions addressing such topics as: the State of Georgia's Housing Market, Moving from Dependency to Sustainability and Collaboration is the Key. These roll-up-your-sleeves, small and effective working group sessions enhanced dialogue and culminated into the Community Collaboration Sessions. There HUD partners participated in small working groups based on what specific Georgia Regional Commission they fall under. From there each group worked to provide their top 1-3 recommendations for HUD to consider as part of HUD Region IV's first two year state-wide plan.

"I don't need to tell you that these are challenging times and it requires leadership, vision and a willingness to work together collaboratively to leverage resources in order to make a positive difference for those we serve," said HUD Region IV, Regional Administrator Ed Jennings, Jr. "There is no doubt that change is upon us and it will require innovative leadership from all of us and you included to cooperatively 'win the future'."

Presenters from as far away as California participated and as close as Atlanta and rural Washington, Georgia. Each of the presenters brought unique insight to their respective workshop and tangible solutions and ideas to stimulate conversation and thought among workshop partners.

The overarching ideas and recommendations expressed by the partners were enthusiastically presented to the overall group based on what Georgia Regional Commission group they fell under. There are twelve regional commissions that cover the state. Each recommendation was voted on by the overall group. The top recommendations was "the need for HUD to be more flexible in program implementation" which the group further stated that "if HUD were more flexible, then they would not disappoint HUD." The next highest rated recommendation was the need for more foreclosure prevention assistance as the state remains in the top ten in the nation. Each recommendation in addition to the top two were thoughtfully discussed and presented and there will be feedback provided to all meeting participants regarding their recommendations.

The first ever Georgia Partners' Planning meeting will not be the last. This new innovative and inclusive, from-the-ground-up methodology was well received and will be followed by annual meetings as it works to change the landscape to create sustainable communities throughout Georgia.

To view the agenda, session summaries, presentations by panel members, and other resources, visit our web page: 2011 HUD Partners' Planning Meeting: Georgia.

Left to right - Regional administrator Ed Jennings, Jr. addressing over 300 Georgia partners and Deputy Regional Administrator Karen Jackson Sims

Partners reporting out on their group's recommendations to the all partners

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