(Marietta, GA – Aug.8, 2003) Governor Sonny Perdue recently appointed Cobb County Commission Chairman Sam Olens to the Georgia Department of Community Affairs Board of Directors.

Olens will be sworn in at 9.30 a.m., Wednesday, Aug. 13 at the State Capitol. He will represent the Sixth Congressional District.

“It is a great honor to be appointed by the Governor,” said Olens. “DCA is the state agency that most affects local government and this will enable me to better serve our residents.”

The Department of Community Affairs (DCA) operates state and federal grant programs, serves as the lead agency in housing finance and development, circulate building codes to be adopted by local governments, provides comprehensive planning, technical and research assistance to local governments and serves as the lead agency for the state’s solid waste reduction efforts.

“The Board of Community Affairs has an important role in building and strengthening relationships between the state and local governments throughout Georgia,” said Perdue. “I am pleased to appoint these new members because they will provide sound leadership for this department. They will represent the people of this state with a strong commitment to public service.”

Policy for the DCA is provided by the eighteen member board appointed by the Governor for staggered terms. Each of Georgia’s thirteen congressional districts must be represented by one member and five members are appointed at-large. The board also serves as Board of Directors for three related department activities: the Georgia Housing and Finance Authority (GHFA), GHFA Affordable Housing, Inc., and GHFA Economic Development, Inc.