In August 2022, City Council approved a partnership and funding to develop 52 small dwellings and a resident services building for persons experiencing homelessness and associated challenges at the Dundee Cottage and Cove at Dundee sites located at 65 Dundee Street and 75 Dundee Street, respectively. The partnership involved: 1) the City improving and transferring about 5.17 acres of vacant land to the Chatham County/City of Savannah Land Bank Authority (LBA); 2) CHSA Development leasing the land from the LBA and constructing the tiny homes, cottages, caretaker house, and resident services building; and 3) the Chatham Savannah Authority for the Homeless (CSAH) assuming the ground lease, acquiring the completed buildings, managing the property, and arranging for supportive services to residents of both communities.

CSAH is requesting City Council approval to receive a $1,858,407 Savannah Affordable Housing Fund (SAHF) loan and a $3,105,415 HUD HOME ARP grant that it will use to acquire the completed housing and resident services building from CHSA Development. The HOME ARP grant will be used to acquire 28 Dundee Cottages and the SAHF loan will be used to acquire the remaining housing and resident services building.

CHSA Development will deposit the HOME ARP funds received from CSAH at closing into the SAHF for use on additional affordable housing activities. CSAH will lease the housing in accordance with strict HOME ARP and SAHF requirements. Rents, including utilities, are expected to range between $650 and $850 per month depending upon dwelling size. The resident services building, which includes a commercial kitchen, laundry, meeting space, and office space, will be used by CSAH staff and supportive service providers to assist residents.

Approval