Chatham County leaders press housing, infrastructure priorities at Georgia Capitol

ATLANTA, Ga. (WTOC) - Local leaders from Chatham County spent the day making their voices heard at the Georgia General Assembly with a clear message, housing affordability and homelessness can’t wait.

It was a full slate of events across Savannah, starting with a City-hosted luncheon, followed by a downtown community legislative hearing, and wrapping up with the largest gathering of the day — the annual legislative oyster roast.

Along the way, state and local leaders talked through some of the most pressing issues facing the region.

At the center of those conversations was affordable housing.

State Senator Derek Mallow of Chatham County said lawmakers are closely examining changes to Georgia’s low-income housing tax credits, especially the state’s 9% credit.

Some proposals include exempting affordable housing projects from impact fees and sales taxes — ideas that could significantly affect how and where housing gets built.

Savannah Mayor Van Johnson said affordability remains a top priority for the city, but stressed the importance of balance when statewide solutions are proposed.

“We’re always focusing on infrastructure, and we’re always focusing on affordability,” Johnson said. “The state is too — but our definitions might be different. We want to make sure that what’s being proposed doesn’t end up creating new problems for local governments.”

Mallow said lawmakers are still sorting through what will actually work.

“There are some unique things we can do if we’re really serious about it,” he said. “I’m not sold on all the proposals just yet, but I’m watching them closely.”

Leaders also pointed to Governor Brian Kemp’s $50 million Homelessness Response Program as another opportunity they hope to fully tap into, especially for communities like Savannah that are seeing growing need.

As the legislative session continues, local officials say they’ll keep pushing to make sure any changes coming out of Atlanta reflect the realities back home — and help ease the housing pressure many residents are feeling.