Georgia Department of Community Affairs
VaRuva Purnell, MAcc, currently serves as the Financial Operations & Reporting Manager at the Georgia Department of Community Affairs since September 2023. Prior to this role, VaRuva Purnell held positions including General Ledger Supervisor at the Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency, Accountant IV at the Georgia Department of Education, and General Ledger Accountant III at the State of GA DHS-OFS. VaRuva Purnell's earlier experience includes serving as Staff Accountant at Meridian Education Resource Group, Accounting & HR Administrator at the Liquor Control Board for Worcester County, Head Teller at First Shore Federal Savings & Loans, and Bookkeeper at Castle in the Sand, Inc. Academic credentials include a Master of Accountancy from Mercer University, a Bachelor of Science in Accounting and Finance from Wilmington University, a Certificate of Proficiency in Accounting from Wor-Wic Community College, and an Associate of Arts in Business Administration and Management from Wor-Wic Community College.
Georgia Department of Community Affairs
At the Georgia Department of Community Affairs, we provide financial resources and technical assistance to help communities prepare for economic development opportunities and create workforce housing. Our team has a long history of working with local leaders to develop solutions for community issues and to create opportunities for communities to succeed in growing jobs through organic, small-business growth and through the location of economic development prospects. DCA’s strengths lie in our ability to understand a community’s challenges and opportunities and to collaborate with local governments, authorities, state agencies, and non-profits to develop locally-driven solutions. Whether it’s community development grants or housing tax credits, help with planning or recruiting volunteers, everything we do at DCA shares a common goal: helping to build strong, vibrant communities. We do this through programs that include Downtown Development, Community Development Block Grants, Rental Assistance, First Time Homebuyer programs, Affordable Housing Tax Credits, Planning and Quality Growth, and many more.