The City of Savannah along with multiple community partners today held a ribbon cutting ceremony to unveil renovated apartment units that will benefit medically fragile residents experiencing homelessness.

The property, located at 1826 Florance St. in Savannah, includes four, accessible two-bedroom apartments and will operate as part of the Chatham Savannah Authority for the Homelessness (CSAH) Housing Opportunities Made for Everyone (H.O.M.E.) initiative. The pilot program is designed to provide residents with stable housing while connecting them with healthcare coordination, case management, housing navigation, benefits assistance and other critical community resources. The newly renovated property in the Historic Cuyler-Brownville neighborhood, provides accessible supportive housing for previously unhoused, medically fragile adults, addressing a critical gap for individuals whose health needs may make traditional congregate shelter settings inappropriate.

“The redevelopment of this historic location opened the door not only for collaboration among the City and the County and other community partners but also to citizens and families who might not otherwise have a place to call their own, meeting their own, specific needs,” said City Manager Jay Melder. “Today is the result of partnership, purpose, and the power of community. It represents the very best of who we are.”

The property has a long history in the Cuyler-Brownville neighborhood. Originally consisting of four small apartments, the historic row houses were previously used by St. Joseph’s/Candler Health System to serve neighborhood residents before becoming vacant and underutilized when the health system’s services were consolidated and moved to nearby St. Mary’s Community Center. Redevelopment of the property began in 2024, representing a collaborative effort involving the City of Savannah, Chatham County, Chatham Savannah Authority for the Homeless, Community Housing Services Agency, Inc., CHSA Development, Inc., Chatham/Savannah Land Bank Authority, Chatham County, CIVIS Foundation, Mercy Housing Southeast, KJ General Contractors, and the Cuyler-Brownville Neighborhood Association.

The Chatham/Savannah Land Bank Authority purchased the property in December 2023 from Mercy Housing Southeast using funding through the City’s 1K-in-10 blighted and vacant property acquisition initiative. CHSA Development, Inc. subsequently renovated the property with support from City-approved Savannah Affordable Housing Funds and CIVIS Foundation funding. The Chatham Savannah Authority for the Homeless (CSAH) purchased the completed property in June 2026 and serves as its owner and operator.

“What we do today is not just for today. We are planting trees whose shade we may never sit under,” said Mayor Van R. Johnson, II. “Today, that means creating safe, dignified homes for medically fragile Savannahians who need, not only housing but care, support and stability. This is what ‘All Means All’ looks like and generations from now, Savannah will be stronger because of the investments and partnerships we make today.”

Additionally, a critical component of the program will be its partnership with the PACE Program of Georgia, which provides coordinated healthcare, transportation, rehabilitation and long-term support services to help older adults remain healthy and independent in community-based settings. The project reflects a community-wide investment in health, dignity and housing stability and demonstrates what can be achieved when local government, healthcare providers and community organizations work together to address complex housing needs.