Leaders from the City of Savannah, Chatham County, the Savannah Economic Development Authority (SEDA), and the Community Housing Services Agency (CHSA) have announced the launch of Housing United. This new initiative is based within CHSA and aims to expand affordable housing across Chatham County by bringing together public, non-profit, and industry partners.
Housing United builds on previous efforts by Housing Savannah, Inc., which focused on community engagement and policy development for affordable housing over the past three years. The new program increases CHSA’s capacity to work with all municipalities in Chatham County to develop both affordable and workforce housing. Financial support will come from Chatham County, SEDA, and local businesses.
The initiative continues momentum from the Housing Savannah Action Plan adopted in 2021. That plan remains central to improving systems and increasing housing production in Savannah and now throughout Chatham County.
Officials say that recent population growth, higher workforce demand, and economic expansion have created a need for coordinated countywide action. “The success of Housing Savannah, Inc, powered by historic investments in the Savannah Affordable Housing Fund by the Georgia Ports Authority, The Civis Foundation, and others, propelled our theory of change to new heights,” said City Manager Jay Melder. “Now, the Housing United initiative can build on that success, and harness regional collaboration to unlock new investments and serve Savannah and our broader community.”
In 2023, the Georgia Ports Authority began a multi-year investment in workforce housing for port communities. In its first two years, $1.5 million was provided to the Savannah Affordable Housing Fund through The Port of Savannah Area Workforce Housing Initiative. This funding has benefited 151 families through home improvements for homeowners, down payment assistance for first-time buyers, and construction of new homes. Over eight years GPA has pledged $6 million for housing near ports including Savannah.
Housing United also aligns with goals set out in “Savannah GPS,” a strategic plan emphasizing regional partnerships. It responds to findings from research such as the Georgia Tech Regional Housing Needs Assessment which identified rising shortages in several counties including Chatham.
“At SEDA, we understand that a key part of growing and attracting companies in Chatham County is built on the strength of our workforce so it is crucial that we address the housing challenges that were identified in the Georgia Tech Center for Economic Development Research assessment. We are committed to ensuring housing solutions align with workforce growth employer needs and long-term economic sustainability. Housing United gives us the coordinated framework to do that,” said SEDA President and CEO Trip Tollison.
SEDA participates in Regional Industry Support Enterprise (RISE), an organization working across eight counties on issues including workforce housing.
Chatham County Manager Michael Kaigler described unified action as essential: “Housing United is a countywide solution to a countywide challenge,” he said. “This initiative brings together public private and nonprofit partners to expand housing opportunities for families throughout our region.”
Deborah Wright of CHSA added: “The Community Housing Services Agency non-profit housing corporation is excited about playing a role in the new affordable and workforce Housing United partnership that anticipates raising investments and developing new partnerships necessary to help improve and create housing opportunities countywide for the unhoused renters homeowners and homebuyers.”
As part of its mission going forward, Housing United will coordinate funding strategies prioritize development opportunities support ongoing projects and leverage both public- and private-sector investments into regional housing projects.
“Savannah and Chatham County are experiencing extraordinary economic momentum—from port-driven growth to new employers—and housing is foundational infrastructure,” Melder said. “This partnership positions us to meet that moment with a unified strategic regional approach.”
More information about initial priorities will be released soon.
