Latest news with #AffordableHousingOverlayDistrict
Yahoo
25-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Savannah City Council passes affordable housing amendment, includes key neighborhoods
SAVANNAH, Ga. (WSAV) — A new zoning amendment meant to tackle affordable housing and availability in Savannah has been approved by city council with a 7-2 vote. The four neighborhoods in question included the Victorian District, Metropolitan, Thomas Square and a portion of the Live Oak neighborhoods. City leaders say the Affordable Housing Overlay District. The four neighborhoods in question included the Victorian District, Metropolitan, Thomas Square and a portion of the Live Oak neighborhoods. City leaders say the Affordable Housing Overlay District will tackle the issue of rising housing cost for renters and buyers. Residents voicing their stance during Thursday's meeting. 'I love my staff. In fact, I've built housing for two of them because they can no longer afford to live close enough to my shop to walk or bike there, which means they have to have a car, which means they are essentially making less money, having less time,' one resident said. The overlay allows developers to build larger, multi-family unit homes in areas that are typically zoned for smaller residences as long as they include affordable units in their plans. All projects must get the approval from the city as affordable. Another resident disagreed with the majority speaking, 'That area should be, I think, built, but not on the affordable housing side. that's just not the neighborhood. I live next to a former housing. This not the right fit in this area. When you have this entire city, this particular area, it's going to bring down property values.' Savannah Mayor Van Johnson responded, 'So, you're telling me that you don't want a police officer, a firefighter, a mayor to live where you live?' The overlay makes room for more homes on smaller lots to address the housing shortage. it will include a mixture of affordable and market-rate housing. The price, whether renting or owning, cannot exceed 30% of a household's gross income. 'I just want to pose a question for anyone that lives in these current neighborhoods that are worried about those who are looking for places to afford,' another resident said. 'Could you afford where you currently stay if you needed to purchase the house that you live in? Can you currently afford it in the rate that it is in the market?' City leaders adds that this is just the beginning. They are looking to add additional neighborhoods. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
01-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Savannah City Council approves ordinance to address rising housing costs
SAVANNAH, Ga. (WSAV) — Savannah City Council passed an ordinance Thursday to create an Affordable Housing Overlay District. This ordinance, which passed 7-2, aims to address rising housing costs for renters and buyers while making it easier for people to develop high density, multi-family homes in areas where it isn't tradition. Mayor Van Johnson tells News 3, it's just too expensive to live in Savannah. 'The way to achieve affordability is through density and through the building of housing at all levels,' Johnson said. 'We have to get past the 'not in my backyard.' I've had neighbors tell me that they don't want neighbors. We will become a city for the rich and famous if we don't create ways for people to live here. It's happened all over the nation.' The idea for the overlay district was presented by a resident. Council listened to community feedback for months before the vote took place. All housing projects must be certified by the city manager's office as 'affordable', according to the ordinance. The price, whether renting or owning the home, cannot exceed 30 percent of a household's gross income. Alderman Nick Palumbo said walkable Ardsley Park is a great example of the communities they're trying to create. 'We can tackle this housing crisis without having large-scale inclusionary development, but we've got to be smart about it. We have to be tactical. We have to increase engagement and bring this citywide,' Alderman Palumbo said. No map has been outlined yet. Council will discuss the layout at their next meeting on April 10th. savannah-affordable-housing-overlay-ordinanceDownload Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
