The Mayor and Aldermen have undertaken an initiative to bring about the renovation of blighted, abandoned, properties with quality housing affordable to low- and modest-income persons. The Chatham County / City of Savannah Land Bank Authority (LBA) has requested that the City transfer title of a vacant house known as 225 Cumming Street to the LBA. The LBA will make the property available to Family Promise of the Coastal Empire (Family Promise).  Family Promise will renovate the house using up to $50,000 it has raised.  Once renovated, Family Promise will make the house available to persons participating in its housing initiatives.  Renovation of the house is planned to occur within 12 months after Family Promise has possession of the house.   The City has, in the past, similarly transferred blighted property to the LBA for this purpose—including two other Cumming Street properties in 2020 that are being improved by Family Promise. One is nearing renovation completion and construction of a new house is about to begin on the other. These two properties are side-by-side and across the street from 225 Cumming Street.  Adoption of this Resolution will also help the City fulfill its goal of facilitating the revitalization of Cumming Street through the improvement of vacant blighted properties that will be occupied and affordable to modest income households.

Approval