Fund Housing for All.
Create Thriving Communities.
Many hard-working people here in Savannah and across Chatham County cannot afford to live near their jobs, preferred schools, healthcare facilities, or other needed services.
Housing Savannah wants to change that.
Affordable Housing is a Vital Component of Our Community’s Infrastructure
Thank you, Georgia Ports Authority, for your incredible investment in affordable and attainable workforce housing in the greater Savannah area!
Safe, stable, healthy housing is the cornerstone to a thriving community. Housing Savannah is grateful to the Georgia Ports Authority for their recent pledge of $6M over 8 years for the Port of Savannah Workforce Housing Initiative, which will have a tremendously positive impact for neighborhoods near the Port.
“The bottom goal is to really improve the housing that is available in the near port areas, if you will, of the greater Savannah community,” said GPA’s Chief Administration Officer Jamie McCurry. “Our investment with Housing Savannah, Inc. will allow the organization to leverage considerably more in additional funding through different federal and state funding programs.”
This incredible investment in the SAHF will improve quality of life and housing for individuals living in near-port communities through the repair, construction, and purchase of affordable and workforce housing that benefits low- and moderate-income homeowners, first-time homebuyers, and renters. McCurry added that the focus on home improvements will help stabilize property values and improve the quality-of-life in the targeted investment communities.
Thank you, Georgia Ports Authority, for your incredible investment in affordable and attainable workforce housing in the greater Savannah area!
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Collaborate
Only with broad participation of citizens, community leaders, housing practitioners, local industry, and area government can we develop a comprehensive, efficient, and effective strategy to preserve and develop housing that is attainable at all economic levels.
Educate
Our community currently lacks a common understanding and a common language around the housing crisis that we’re facing. Community awareness is the first step to addressing the challenge that we’re facing.
Advocate
Housing is a topic worthy of attention, discussion, and collective action, but is also complicated, nuanced, and overwhelming for many. Housing Savannah helps to simplify the complexities to facilitate understanding and serves as a champion of pro-housing efforts and initiatives.
Contributions to the Savannah Affordable Housing Fund (SAHF) support a variety of affordable housing activities aimed at preserving and developing housing units. Philanthropy allows funding to remain flexible so that it is responsive to evolving community needs.
A Place To Call Home
Safe, stable, healthy, quality affordable housing is the cornerstone of every neighborhood. It provides a sense of security, community, and well-being. Having a place to call home is the foundation for everything else in one’s life.
In Savannah, with home costs outpacing wages, 40% of households are unable to find quality housing that they can afford. Compounding this, we face a severe housing shortage of over 9,300 units – even before our region sees a dramatic population increase projected for the coastal southeast over the next decade.
How can we build a vibrant and thriving city if our teachers, nurses, first responders, and service industry professionals cannot afford to live here?
Together with our donors and partners, Housing Savannah is committed to addressing the immediate need for more housing that is affordable at all socio-economic levels and long-term systems change to solve one our community’s greatest challenges.
We grow community resources to create and preserve housing that is affordable for everyone.
Understanding the Problem
The need for safe, stable, healthy, quality housing in our area is acute. A recent market analysis estimates that Chatham County has a housing deficit of 10,000 units across all price points.
The majority (73%) of those units are needed for low- to moderate-wage households – those earning between 30% ($17,500) and 120% ($70,500) of AMI, or Area Median Income, as determined by HUD.
These citizens are our service industry workers, teachers, first responders, retail clerks, administrative and professional services workers, as well as those just starting their careers or those retiring and living on fixed incomes.
Additionally, the Housing Savannah Task Force found that approximately 40% of existing Savannah households are cost-burdened, meaning they pay more than 30% of their household income on housing.
Lack of housing within reach of low- to modest-wage families often forces costly choices that leaves them with less money for food, transportation to work, healthcare, childcare, education, or funds to build personal wealth.
All of which constrains the local economy and limits growth.
By the Numbers
2022 Statistics for Savannah / Chatham County Area
So, What Exactly
is Affordable Housing?
The term “affordable housing” is often misconstrued as housing that is less desirable and only for the poorest of citizens. There’s a stigma around it.
But in truth, affordable housing is for people in all economic levels.
It is the centerpiece of a thriving and sustainable regional economy. When housing costs more than 30% of a household’s income, then other aspects of that family’s life suffer, resulting in poor outcomes for individuals, families, and communities. People shouldn’t have to choose between one basic necessity and another!
Affordable housing is housing that a household can afford, paying 30% or less of their income, that still leaves money for other necessities like food, healthcare, childcare, education, and transportation. That means that what is considered “affordable” depends on a household’s income.
So, who needs affordable housing? Everyone.
As rents and interest rates rise faster than incomes, a large and growing share of the population is struggling to afford housing at 30% or less of their income. Nationally, more than one in seven households are “cost-burdened,” meaning they pay more than 30% of their income on housing.
Savannah / Chatham County Area Median Income (AMI) for 2023
Area Median Income (AMI) is defined as the midpoint of a specific area’s income distribution and is calculated on an annual basis by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
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Myths vs. Reality – Facts about Affordable Housing
REALITY: More safe, stable housing translates into less crime. Stable housing contributes to a sense of community and improves neighborhood cohesion.
REALITY:
Everyone’s’ property taxes are lower if we have more households contributing to the tax base.
Additionally, investments in underserved areas often spurs further investments in a community.
Providing people access to stable, high-quality housing further drives economic development as residents seek goods and services within their communities. Paying more than 30% for housing means less disposable income for people to spend on other goods and services.
REALITY: The vast majority of people who live in affordable housing are working, but some are disabled or are retired. In addition to individuals and families, affordable housing serves seniors, veterans, and other hard-working citizens who are building better lives for themselves and their families.
Longer commutes result in more workplace tardiness, absenteeism, and exhaustion. If people have to leave our community to afford housing, there are fewer people in the local workforce. Workforce shortages deter business expansion and recruitment.
REALITY:
Safe, stable, cost-effective housing means less of a drain on taxpayers, businesses, policing, EMS, and medical providers.
REALITY: Those with stable housing experience better health outcomes – due to less stress, more time for self-care, and better, safer living conditions.
REALITY: Much of affordable rental housing developed today is made possible through Low Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC), a highly competitive public policy program enacted under the Tax Reform Act of 1986. This is REALITY: Section 42 of the Internal Revenue Code and regulates and encourages developers to build affordable housing to meet the needs of local communities. In most cases, residents pay monthly rent without subsidies.
Who We Are
Housing Savannah, Inc. was formed in March 2022 as a direct result of one of the strategies included in the community-led Housing Savannah Task Force’s “Action Plan.”
Designed to raise awareness and support for affordable and workforce housing initiatives and the Savannah Affordable Housing Fund (SAHF), Housing Savannah provides policy direction and goal setting support for SAHF development, activities, and outcomes.
Through intentional and respectful collaboration, Housing Savannah seeks to empower everyone in our community to be an active part of addressing housing challenges. By working with residents, neighborhood associations, business and civic leaders, as well as housing practitioners and non-profits, our goal is to encourage innovative and appropriate development that preserves and creates safe, stable, healthy, high-quality housing for people at all socio-economic levels and in all areas of our community.
Our Board of Directors
- Chair: Jay Melder, City of Savannah
- Vice Chair: Deborah Wright, United Community Bank
- Treasurer: Israel Small, Community Advocate
- Secretary: Anita Smith-Dixon, CHSA
- Naomi Brown, Community Advocate
- Jesse Dillon, Savannah Economic Development Authority
- Martin Fretty, City of Savannah
- Brynn Grant, United Way of the Coastal Empire
- Michael Kaigler, Chatham County
- Jamie McCurry, Georgia Ports Authority
- Kyle Redner, Gulfstream Aerospace
Our Staff
- Executive Director: Laura Lane McKinnon
- Community Development Manager: Christian Shellman
We Need YOUR Help!
Make an Impact
Maintaining and building affordable housing takes time. It’s a challenge that no one person or organization can tackle alone, but together we can make a positive impact.
CONTRIBUTE
By contributing to the Savannah Affordable Housing Fund (SAHF), you contribute to the preservation and creation of safe, stable, healthy, high-quality housing for people at all economic levels. Donations are tax-deductible and can be designated to support any or all of the SAHF programs.
ATTEND
By attending local meetings and hearings to voice your support of housing that is attainable at various economic levels and to encourage ordinances and regulations that encourage innovation and thoughtful, equitable growth.
SUPPORT
By supporting pro-housing and inclusive policies and ordinances, we embrace the unique character of Savannah, Chatham County, and coastal Georgia, by making it possible for more of our residents and neighbors to have a quality of life that positively impacts us all.
VOLUNTEER
By volunteering on a home repair project, you can help to preserve existing affordable housing by making needed structural or systems repairs, allowing those with low or fixed incomes to remain in their homes. Repairs are typically projects like installing a ramp, repairing or replacing a roof, exterior wall repair, painting, or landscaping.
Savannah Affordable Housing Fund
The Savannah Affordable Housing Fund (SAHF) was established in 2011 to help to create and preserve affordable housing in the Savannah area.
The Fund helps elderly and vulnerable homeowners make repairs to be able to stay in their homes and assists first-time buyers achieve homeownership. It also helps to attract and leverage other funds to amplify the impact and create more housing units.
SAHF Programs
Because the SAHF is a local fund, it provides the flexibility needed to nimbly respond to a wide range of housing needs and opportunities. The three main focus areas are:
This program assists income-qualified first-time home buyers with closing costs, down payments, or gap financing to purchase new or existing homes.
This program helps to preserve existing affordable housing by making needed structural or systems repairs, allowing those with low or fixed incomes to remain in their homes. Repairs are typically projects like installing a ramp, repairing or replacing a roof, exterior wall repair, painting, or landscaping. Repairs are carried out by contractors and volunteers, depending on the specific repair.
Preserving the existing affordable housing stock is more critical than ever because it’s generally less expensive and more cost-effective than building new affordable housing, and also prevents the displacement of individuals and families from their homes. Home repair also helps to revitalize neighborhoods, improves quality of life, and addresses income inequities.
Construction and permanent financing helps area developers to repair and construct quality, affordable housing units for rent and for sale. Select the category that describes you best to learn more information.
Get in touch
- P.O. Box 23121
- info@housingsavannah.org
- (912) 651-6766
We welcome all questions, comments, and input from everyone concerned affordable and workforce housing in our community. We want to hear from you!