When individuals have stable housing, a variety of health outcomes improve, says Georgia Department of Public Health’s Coastal Health District Director Bonzo Reddick. Emergency room visits decline. Substance abuse goes down. Mortality and morbidity rates improve, he said.
Such was the vision behind a new four-unit housing development in Savannah’s Cuyler-Brownville Neighborhood for medically fragile individuals experiencing homelessness. The City of Savannah and partner Chatham-Savannah Authority for the Homeless cut the ribbon on the renovated row homes Tuesday, with local leaders touting the project as a more holistic means to ending homelessness.
“Housing is not the end goal, housing is the foundation,” said CSAH Executive Director and CEO
Jennifer DuLong. “(It’s) the foundation upon which health, recovery, and hope are built.”
The project is part of CSAH’s Housing Opportunities Made for Everyone Pilot Initiative aimed at providing stable housing while connecting residents with healthcare resources and case management. Other developments under the initiative include the Veterans’ Tiny Homes and the Cove at Dundee, a collection of 85 tiny homes on Savannah’s east side for people transitioning out of homelessness.
Tuesday’s project at 1826 Florance St. took a historic property, once operated by St. Joseph’s/Candler, and renovated it into the four, two-bedroom housing units.
The property was purchased by CSAH in June 2026, and the organization will operate the property and program. The development was also a widespread collaboration that included the City of Savannah, Community Housing Services Agency Development Inc. and Chatham County.
Funding for redevelopment came from the Savannah Affordable Housing Fund, the first ever contribution from Chatham County’s Housing fund and the Civis Foundation.
“If we can do this together, then what else can we do together?” said Savannah Mayor Van Johnson.
At Tuesday’s ribbon cutting, DuLong cited statistics that one in five people experiencing homelessness today are 55 or older, making it the fastest growing segment of the U.S. homeless population. She added that reality left the local community with a choice to continue doing what it has always done, or to chart a new course forward.
DuLong then quoted Maya Angelou, saying “when you know better, you do better.” Tuesday was the local community choosing to do better, she said.
The housing program will also partner with Georgia’s Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly. The initiative is a Medicaid service delivery program aimed at providing medical and social service to “community-dwelling” elderly persons, according to the Georgia Department of Community Health’s website.
Reddick said the partnership will create a bridge between homelessness and healthcare.
“Residents will be able to stay and improve their health, and connect to longer-term care and housing solutions,” Reddick said. “This is the place for that.”
Evan Lasseter is the City of Savannah and Chatham County government reporter for the Savannah Morning News. You can reach him at ELasseter@savannahnow.com.
This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: Savannah leaders cut ribbon on housing for homeless, medically fragile
