Savannah council split on housing ordinances

SAVANNAH, Ga. (WTOC) - Savannah City Council remains divided over how to address housing affordability after two ordinances targeting “missing middle” housing failed to pass.

The ordinances were read at the last three city council meetings and were the subject of multiple workshops this year, including a mobile one. Council members say there is still no clear path forward on an issue both sides describe as important.

What the ordinances would have done

The ordinances would have consolidated the housing permit application process and allowed for more middle housing in Savannah, which the city and real estate agents have said is “missing.”

Click HERE to see previous “missing middle” housing coverage.

4th District Alderman Nick Palumbo and 3rd District Alderwoman Linda Wilder voted on opposite sides of the two ordinances last week.

Palumbo said the ordinances are meant to address a housing shortage.

“The market’s a heat-seeking missile and housing needs to be built for the shortage that we have,” Palumbo said. “It’s the reason we have such chronic homelessness, it’s the reason why affordability is such a big problem here in Savannah, so until we satisfy the shortage, prices are going to continue to rise and that’s what this housing package is aimed to solve.”

Wilder said the programs and policies aren’t reaching the people they need to reach.

Why some council members voted no

Wilder said one reason she voted against the ordinances is that the benefits for Palumbo’s district are greater than other parts of the city.

“And so if we’re going to do this, kudos for Nick, I think it’s awesome, him wanting to fight, but there are 5 other people who wanted to fight too,” Wilder said.

Palumbo said the ordinances would benefit the entire city.

“It’s that gentle density that makes it so that we can build the right way without to disrupt development at the same time, and alleviate the housing crisis,” Palumbo said.

Alderman Detric Leggett said he voted no because of a lack of understanding of the true impacts. Wilder said she agreed with that assessment.

Timeline and next steps

Palumbo said the topic has been discussed since 2025, and a mobile workshop was held in April of this year.

Wilder said she attempted to delay the vote to a later date during the meeting.

“I was going to say that I have a substitute, we want to do with item 17 and 18 to come back,” Wilder said. “Not to make it moot, but to make sure that it’s beneficial for everybody, because we’ve got middle stuff in all the districts right? We want to make sure that the new development does not hinder progress for other people that don’t live in the fourth district.”

Palumbo said he plans to continue pursuing the ordinance changes. He said it may take another workshop and adjustments to gain support from other council members. He said the issue will remain unresolved otherwise.