By Eric Curl
Oct. 11, 2026 – CIVIS, a nonprofit organization, is committing about $7 million in additional funding to support affordable housing efforts in Savannah as part of its new West Broad Blueprint Initiative.
The investment, which was recognized at Thursday’s Savannah City Council meeting, includes a contribution of $500,000 to the Savannah Affordable Housing Fund (SAHF) over the next five years, a $1.5 million loan to help provide permanent financing for the 16 new affordable apartments developed at 916 Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, and $4.9 million in funds it made available to purchase a block and a half of blighted vacant property bounded by MLK, Montgomery Street, West 35th Street and the Savannah Police Department’s Central Precinct.
CIVIS representative Dan Kent described during the meeting how the organization’s relationship with the city began with a $50,000 grant after it reviewed the city’s housing plan in 2022. He said that initial contribution grew into $7 million in investments in Cuyler-Brownville, followed by the newly announced $7 million commitment.
“Upon meeting you all and seeing what welcoming and gracious and strong partners we had in the city of Savannah, that $50,000 grew to $7 million of investment,” Kent said.
CIVIS intends to work collaboratively with the city, Chatham County-Savannah Land Bank Authority and Community Housing Services Agency to develop the property with affordable housing and neighborhood retail.
The property was previously slated for a privately developed apartment complex featuring two four-story multifamily buildings and six three-story townhomes, as previously reported. The proposal, pursued by Massachusetts-based 1825 Montgomery LLC, faced opposition from historic preservation staff over its height and scale, and the development never moved forward.
In addition to this new commitment, CIVIS has already invested $1.05 million in the SAHF and has invested in the construction and sale of 15 houses, the renovation of the Kiah House and adjoining commercial property, and the renovation of the W.W. Law House in the Cuyler-Brownville Neighborhood.
Savannah Alderwoman Bernetta Lanier, who represents Cuyler-Brownville, said the investments are adding value to the neighborhood.
“The partnership is working,” Lanier said.
CIVIS’ existing and new investment commitments approach $14 million since 2022 and adoption of the Housing Savannah Action Plan, according to city officials.
CIVIS’ emerging West Broad Blueprint Initiative calls to expand its focus beyond Cuyler-Brownville to include and encourage housing, retail, education, and cultural arts investments along MLK and Montgomery including neighborhoods between Bay Street and West 52nd Street.
The city council also approved a resolution authorizing the land bank authority to use up to $2.45 million in SPLOST funding to help purchase the vacant block and a half of property to be developed with affordable housing and neighborhood retail.
Mayor Van Johnson attributed the investments and funding to the city’s creation of the Housing Savannah Task Force and 10-year Housing Savannah Action Plan that the council adopted in 2021.
“We believe everyone in Savannah should have access to quality, accessible, and available housing,” Johnson said. “And so, thank you all for supporting that.”
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