On Thursday, the Savannah City Council will consider an ordinance to regulate “urban camping” and the “improper use of public spaces.” This editorial by Michael Chaney is in response to the proposed ordinance. Chaney, a local Episcopal priest, previously made similar comments to the Chatham County Commission on May 9, before the commission tabled consideration of a similar ordinance.
May 18, 2025 – If a person who cannot afford rent is legally prohibited from sleeping outside whether in a tent, on a bench or a sidewalk. Where will they sleep?
The homelessness crisis in our community and our country is a housing crisis.
It is deeply concerning that so many people believe homelessness is a choice.
It is a myth that people experiencing homelessness choose to be homeless. While some individuals may make choices that contribute to their homelessness, the underlying causes are often complex and systemic.
I have been boots on the ground with our neighbors experiencing homelessness for 37 years. I’ve had the conversations. I have listened to the stories. Each person is a unique individual and, with very few exceptions, they share one common condition: they cannot afford a place to live.
With very few exceptions if someone tells you they are homeless by choice that is pride talking. This is an assessment based on discussion with literally hundreds of individuals.
I urge our government to focus on these underlying systemic issues that make housing unaffordable rather than criminalizing our neighbors who simply have no choice but to sleep outside.
Criminalizing sleeping outside will cause harm. Be sure of that. As a person of faith I am compelled to speak on behalf of our neighbors who do not have a voice.
Where will they sleep? In another county? Another city? A jail cell?
This is not an issue of allowing people to live unhoused. This is an issue of not criminalizing people who simply have no other choice.
We are talking about human beings. Like it or not these people are our neighbors. As a person of Christian faith, I am compelled to love my neighbor.
We don’t love our neighbors by arresting them for sleeping.
At the core of a solution is compassion.
We need to embrace solutions that include unencumbered local services and a housing first policy that honors and respects the dignity of our neighbors. Housing solutions are possible. “Housing First” works. And in the long term in cities like Houston, Columbus, Ohio and Salt Lake City “Housing First” has proven to be less expensive than current approaches.
Once a person has housing stability, sound mental health will follow, as will recovery from addiction, and stable employment.
And let’s be clear. Only about a third of people experiencing homelessness are experiencing substance addiction. Much of the time the addiction follows homelessness rather than being the root cause of homelessness. Likewise with mental illness. About 25% of people experiencing homelessness also experience a serious mental illness exacerbated by a lack of stability in housing.
So how do we pay for a housing first solution? I have suggested a hotel tax on every room rented in the city of Savannah. A few dollars a night on every hotel and vacation rental that would fund an affordable housing program. The tourism industry contributed to this problem. They can contribute to the solution.
About the author
Michael Chaney is an Episcopal priest with a track record of working for social justice through spirituality and the arts, including issues of LGBT equality, anti-oppression and anti-racism. His homilies can be found on Medium.
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