Augusta, GA
Augusta plans to revitalize Turpin Hill neighborhood; community meetings scheduled
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WJBF) — Augusta is stepping up to transform the Turpin Hill neighborhood, right by the medical district and Laney Walker area. With help from the state and the University of Georgia, the city has mapped out a solid plan for change in that historic part of town.
The effort is a part of the Georgia Initiative for Community Housing (GICH). The initiative offers specific resources and support for residents and the community, starting with the creation of a comprehensive housing plan. “It also starts with the fundamentals of looking at the assets that’s available in the community,” Housing & Community Development Department Deputy Director Shauntia Lewis said.
Augusta was handpicked from 18 cities across Georgia for this initiative. The action will kick off in Turpin Hill, a spot strategically chosen for its development potential. “It was recommended by UGA for us to select a small neighborhood near areas that had development,” Lewis said. This is our blueprint, our bedrock for us to be able to have some type of starting point that we can use this particular tool to move throughout Augusta.”
Similar efforts in places like Laney Walker and Bethlehem have paid off, shaping Augusta’s approach.
A community meeting is set for Thursday, June 20 at 6 p.m. at the Carrie J. Mays Center to get input and share ideas. “We need to hear about what they think their needs are, what they know they want in their community because it’s their neighborhood,” Lewis said. “They live in these neighborhoods, their history is in within these neighborhoods.”
The goal is a housing plan that meets every corner of Augusta’s needs and sparks economic growth.
The Housing & Community Development Department will stay in close touch through regular community meetings, keeping everyone in the loop.
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Georgia gubernatorial candidate Geoff Duncan campaigned in Augusta ahead of Election Day, making stops at two churches and meeting with local faith leaders.
The former lieutenant governor visited Good Hope Baptist Church on Cedar Street, where he spoke with the Greater Augusta Interfaith Coalition’s “Music to the Polls” group.
Duncan told us that, if elected governor, he wants to expand Medicaid, pass what he called “common-sense gun legislation,” and create more economic opportunities statewide. He also pointed to affordability concerns impacting families and businesses.
“I want to take $1.7 billion of our state’s fund and wrap it around the axle of poverty,” Duncan said, adding that he wants to lower child care costs and improve temporary assistance programs.
Duncan also stopped at Miles Memorial Church on Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard.
Copyright 2026 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
NJ apartment dwellers, renters have these options for help with rent
State and local officials say several programs are designed to help low and moderate-income households stay housed in the face of financial distress.
As rent prices continue to strain budgets, a new study is highlighting where Georgians can save the most by splitting housing costs.
According to a report from SmartAsset, some cities in Georgia offer major savings for renters who choose to live with a roommate.
Here’s what to know.
Where can you save the most in Georgia?
The study ranks Augusta as the top city in Georgia for roommate savings, and No. 6 in the country.
Renters there can save about 45% on monthly rent, or roughly $450 per month, by sharing an apartment.
Here’s how the costs compare in Augusta:
- One-bedroom rent: $1,000
- Two-bedroom rent: $1,100
- Estimated monthly savings with a roommate: $450
Why are roommate savings so high?
With rent prices rising, splitting costs has become one of the easiest ways to cut monthly expenses.
The study shows that sharing rent can significantly reduce housing costs, especially in cities where prices have climbed in recent years.
How does Georgia compare to the rest of the country?
Here’s the top 10 cities in the US for saving with a roomate:
- Cleveland, OH
- Baton Rouge, LA
- Jersey City, NJ
- Memphis, TN
- Boise, ID
- Augusta, GA
- New Haven, CT
- Chattanooga, TN
- Virginia Beach, VA
- Shreveport, LA
Methodology
The study analyzed 100 U.S. cities using rental data from March 2025 to March 2026 from Zumper, comparing one-bedroom rents to half the cost of two-bedroom apartments to estimate savings from sharing with a roommate.
For more information, visit smartasset.com/data-studies/roommate-savings-2026.
Vanessa Johns is the Trending Topics Reporter for the Deep South Connect Team Georgia. Email her at Vcountryman@gannett.com.
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Families had the chance to sharpen their money skills at a financial literacy event hosted by local nonprofit Crown Her Mentoring at the Bernie Ward Community Center.
The free event offered resources for all ages, from kids learning the basics to adults planning for their financial future.
Attendees could sit in sessions about budgeting, credit, opening banking accounts and insurance options.
Organizers said the event was designed to make financial education accessible during Financial Literacy Month.
“People need to understand the importance of a checking account, a savings account—how to manage your money. How to invest your money. People need to learn about life insurance,” said Torrecka Davis, organizer.
Crown Her Mentoring will host a mental health awareness event on May 23. Open enrollment for new mentees will begin on May 10.
Copyright 2026 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
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