Established in August 2020, the Housing Savannah Task Force found that housing costs in Savannah have outpaced incomes at a rate of at least 2:1 during the past 30 years, resulting in about 21,000 (40%) of Savannah households being unable to afford quality housing. It also found that a wide range of affordable housing was needed for Savannah residents with varied incomes. This is becoming increasingly true for households with incomes up to 120% of the Area Median Income (AMI) and especially true for those with incomes at or below 80% AMI. 

In June 2021, the Housing Savannah Task Force submitted the Housing Savannah Action Plan. It was adopted by City Council in October 2021. The Action Plan has five (5) primary strategies and 43 action items. Strategy 5 of the Action Plan encourages the City government to “Support Local, State & Federal Housing Friendly Policy and Legislation” that benefits those in need of affordable housing. Strategy 5A.3 calls for the City to “Support, where appropriate and possible, City of Savannah incentives that help reduce housing repair, renovation, construction, and development costs”, and Strategy 5A.4 calls for the City to “Support, where appropriate and possible, zoning, development standard, licensing, and similar ordinance amendments and/or new ordinances that promote housing affordability”.

Adoption of this Resolution defines Affordable Housing and associated terms and reaffirms support for the City Manager and staff to undertake activities that preserve, improve, and increase the supply of affordable housing as called for in the Housing Savannah Action Plan, including Strategy 5A.3 and 5A.4.

Approval