Savannah’s Housing Action Plan Shows Improvement, But Challenges Remain for Affordable Living

Savannah’s Housing Action Plan: Making Strides but Still Room for Improvement

Located in the charming city of Savannah, Georgia, the issue of affordable housing has become a pressing topic for many residents. Just a few years ago, the city embarked on a housing action plan, and at the time, a staggering 40% of households found themselves unable to afford housing. As if that wasn’t alarming enough, housing costs were growing at least twice as fast as residents’ incomes!

Progress Made, But More to Do

Fast forward to today, and while there have been notable improvements, there’s still a palpable sense of urgency in the air. Mayor Van Johnson of Savannah voiced this sentiment, saying, “This is one of the defining issues for our community and our community’s continued viability.” His commitment to the cause shines through as the city has significantly ramped up its investment in affordable housing since launching the plan three years ago — pushing more than $27 million into various housing projects.

Currently, Savannah is working on five major projects, which include two at the site of the old fairgrounds. According to Mayor Johnson, “We swung for the fences, we’ve been able to do great things and I think we can go harder.” This optimistic note reflects both the progress made and the challenges still faced — something many locals are echoing.

Locking Up Opportunities

However, local advocates point out some significant hurdles that need to be addressed. At the heart of the matter is a city zoning code that doesn’t allow for “varying density” housing types. This means that building multi-family homes, such as duplexes, triplexes, or fourplexes, is currently off the table. Briana Paxton, a passionate advocate for housing in Savannah, has firsthand experience with these challenges and is striving to push some code amendments through the city council.

Describing her journey, Paxton shares, “I’m trying to build a duplex on a 30-foot wide lot on Live Oak through the land bank, and we realized that this was actually illegal. So, I’m on a journey to figure out how to fix this.” Her goal is to introduce what she calls “missing middle” housing types, which would serve to create more options for residents seeking affordable living spaces.

A Path to Lowering Inequities

Among her proposals, Paxton emphasizes the need for any new multi-family unit to include at least one affordable housing option. She firmly believes that “providing more housing opportunities is going to help us decrease these inequities.” If her amendments are approved, the plan could apply to numerous neighborhoods throughout Savannah, including areas like Waterworks, Cann Park, Cuyler-Brownsville, Victorian, and more.

Local residents are keenly aware of the tight housing market and are enthusiastic about any positive change. Many are rooting for amendments that would allow for a variety of housing types, seeing it as a critical step toward creating a more balanced and equitable community.

Looking Ahead

As Savannah works on its path toward more inclusive housing solutions, the support from spirited locals like Briana Paxton signals that the fight for affordable housing is very much alive. Many eyes are focused on the city’s next steps, hoping that the amendments will not only pass but will lead to better living conditions for the community as a whole.

In the end, residents remain hopeful that with the right changes in place, Savannah can become a city where everyone can find a place they call home. And for those involved in the housing action plan, one thing is clear: the journey is just beginning.