ATLANTA — The Georgia Department of Community Affairs has awarded $4.25 million in grants in 12 communities, including Riceboro, to build new single family homes and help homeowners rehabilitate their homes.

Grants ranged from $281,006 to $612,000 through the 2017 Community HOME Investment Program.

Riceboro received $612,000 for the rehabiltation of six homes and construction of two new, according to a DCA news release.

CHIP provides funds to help local governments, nonprofit organizations and public housing authorities provide affordable housing. Funds may be used to assist low and moderate income homeowners with rehabilitation, or to build single family homes to sell to low and moderate income homebuyers.

"CHIP is a tool that helps us work with communities to increase the supply of safe and affordable housing," DCA Commissioner Camila Knowles said. "In addition to financing new construction, CHIP grants can be used to help with needed home repairs for folks who may not have the resources to get the job done, allowing them to continue to live safely in their homes."

CHIP uses a portion of DCA’s HOME Investment Partnership Program funds. The HOME program, created by the National Affordable Housing Act of 1990, provides funds to state and local governments to support affordable housing initiatives.