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Savannah council moves city lots to Land Bank for three new affordable homes in Filer Park
Summary
The Savannah City Council approved transfers of city lots to the Chatham County–City of Savannah Land Bank Authority and authorized up to $600,000 from the city’s Affordable Housing Fund to support development of three single‑family homes in Filer Park, a neighborhood association‑led effort with CHSA.
The Savannah City Council on April 23 voted to transfer several city‑owned lots to the Chatham County–City of Savannah Land Bank Authority and to allow the Filer Park Neighborhood Association to use up to $600,000 from the Savannah Affordable Housing Fund to build three single‑family houses in Aldermanic District 5.
City Manager Melder told the council the plan is a collaboration between the Filer Park Neighborhood Association, the city’s Housing and Neighborhood Services Department, CHSA Development and the Land Bank Authority. "This has really been a collaboration between the Filer Park Neighborhood Association and our Housing and Neighborhood Services Department and CHSA and the Land Bank Authority," he said, describing a prior city subdivision that produced buildable lots and the neighborhood association’s desire to own and develop the lots for modest‑income buyers.
The Filer Park Neighborhood Association will also be eligible to receive title to the neighborhood meeting house at assessed value so the association can keep using it as a community space, the manager added. Dr. Betty Jones, a longtime Filer Park leader, stood with councilmembers as they approved the resolutions and thanked the city for the partnership.
Councilmember discussion emphasized reviving a model the city used previously, in which certified neighborhood organizations lead small infill housing projects with city and nonprofit partners. The mayor and several council members described the move as a way to empower a neighborhood organization that already provides services on the block.
The resolutions as read in the meeting referenced specific addresses on West 57th Street; the transcript contains one inconsistent transcription that reads "West 50 7th Street," which the city manager clarified during discussion as West 57th Street. The council recorded the approvals by voice vote and directed staff and CHSA to proceed with next steps, including development and sale of the units to modest‑income buyers.
Next steps identified by staff include finalizing agreements with CHSA and the Land Bank Authority, preparing development timelines, and scheduling groundbreakings with neighborhood leadership. The council did not set completion dates at the meeting.
