On February 23, 2023, the Mayor and Aldermen adopted a resolution supporting a 25% reduction in the payment of development impact fees for the development of affordable housing pursuant to provisions of O.C.G.A. § 36-71-4(1) of the Georgia Development Impact Fee Act ("DIFA") public policies expressed in the Chatham County Savannah Comprehensive Plan (Plan 2040), and in accordance with the policies of Mayor and Aldermen. Passage of the Resolution was also consistent with recommendations of the Housing Savannah Task Force and its Housing Savannah Action Plan 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”. 

The proposed Resolution updates the terms and conditions required to secure the 25% development fee reduction with the intent of attracting more participation by affordable housing developers.

Approval