Savannah Approves Density Bonus for Affordable Housing

News Summary

The Savannah City Council has approved a new program called the ‘density bonus’ to address the housing crisis. This initiative encourages the development of ‘missing middle housing types’ such as duplexes and quadplexes. Developers can now build more units if at least one is affordable. This move aims to alleviate the projected shortfall of 4,000 housing units in Savannah by 2030, showing the council’s commitment to affordable housing as a pivotal campaign point.

Savannah Takes a Bold Step Towards Affordable Housing!

In a fantastic move to tackle the continuing housing crisis, Savannah City Council has officially approved a new program known as the “density bonus”. This initiative aims to encourage the development of “missing middle housing types,” like duplexes and quadplexes, which can be a game-changer for the local housing market.

What’s the Density Bonus All About?

This density bonus gives developers the green light to build more housing units than they typically would on a single project—provided that at least one unit is offered at a price that’s affordable. This is a win-win situation, enabling more families to find decent housing while enabling developers to maximize their projects. The exciting thing is that this measure is just the beginning! It’s all part of a broader strategy to tackle a massive shortfall of nearly 4,000 new housing units that Savannah needs by 2030, according to a study by the Georgia Institute of Technology.

A Step in the Right Direction

This decision marks one of the first significant housing policy moves by the new city council that was elected in 2023, with affordable housing being a major talking point during their campaign. The approved program will see modifications in Savannah’s zoning code, specifically allowing for higher density in areas by reducing minimum lot size requirements by half if an affordable housing unit is included in the development. This proactive approach is clearly aimed at bringing some much-needed relief to a tough housing situation.

Support From the Community

Housing Savannah Inc. and the Historic Savannah Foundation, have backed this proposal wholeheartedly. The program is set to affect several of Savannah’s traditional zoning districts, including traditional residential (TR), traditional neighborhood (TN), and traditional commercial (TC) zones, most of which are situated south of Gwinnett Street and north of Victory Drive, although there are exceptions.

Listening to the Neighborhoods

Affordable Housing Overlay District will be established to better define where this new policy will apply. While some areas, like Cuyler-Brownville and Midtown, have opted out of this initiative, other neighborhoods, such as the Victorian Neighborhoods and Thomas Square, have shown eagerness to embrace it. Discussions about including Hudson Hill and Bayview neighborhoods were paused for further workshops, aimed at exploring potential duplex projects in those areas.

The Journey to Approval

The path to this approval wasn’t a smooth ride; there were several delays and it all started back in November 2024 with early discussions of the proposal. Recommendations were gathered from the Chatham County-Savannah Metropolitan Planning Commission, leading to the inevitable decision by the council.

Why Is This Important?

With a staggering 45% of renters in Savannah spending more than 30% of their income on housing, the urgency for action was clear. It became apparent that changes were necessary to improve living conditions and provide more affordable options. One community advocate highlighted her personal struggles in finding affordable housing, emphasizing the need for the zoning change.

Looking Ahead

The density bonus program is viewed as a promising solution to create much-required housing options, while still respecting the cherished character of Savannah neighborhoods. The city plans to keep pushing forward with its mission of developing affordable housing and will need to establish a comprehensive mapping of neighborhoods for the future applications of these vital amendments.

With this approval, Savannah is not just talking about change; it is actively encouraging growth and working towards a brighter future for its residents!

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Additional Resources

• Savannah Now: Savannah Moves on Policy to Increase Affordable Housing Options
• WTOC: Savannah City Council Takes Step Towards More Affordable Housing
• WSAV: Big Changes Coming to MLK Jr. Boulevard Affordable Housing Project
• WJCL: Affordable Housing Waitlist Applications Open in Savannah
• All On Georgia: Georgia Ports Initiative Aids Homebuying and Repair
• Wikipedia: Affordable Housing
• Google Search: Affordable Housing Savannah
• Google Scholar: Affordable Housing Policy
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Affordable Housing
• Google News: Affordable Housing Savannah