Feature photo: Construction of 16-unit apartment building at 916 MLK Jr. Boulevard for individuals facing homelessness. Courtesy of the City of Savannah
By Eric Curl
Nov. 27, 2025 – The Interagency Council on Homelessness (ICH) is urging Savannah-area service providers, faith-based organizations and community partners to prepare for sweeping federal policy changes following the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s release of its FY2025 Continuum of Care (CoC) Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) on Nov. 12.
In a message to members on Wednesday, ICH Executive Director Stephanie Kaple said the newly released NOFO represents “major policy shifts” that will require the community to move quickly and collaboratively to protect housing stability for vulnerable residents.
Shifted Priorities
HUD introduced fundamental changes to how communities may structure their homeless-services systems, determine funding priorities, and position programs for renewal. One significant shift highlighted by Kaple is a new cap limiting Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) to no more than 30% of a community’s total funding. This is despite decades of prior guidance encouraging communities to prioritize PSH, and Chatham County’s local utilization rates consistently exceeding 95%, Kaple said, adding that the change could have immediate consequences.
“This is not abstract,” Kaple said. “We believe at least 140 heads of household who are presently stably housed are now in jeopardy of losing support under the proposed structure.”
The FY25 NOFO’s application deadline is Jan. 14, giving communities only weeks to overhaul budgets, restructure priorities, and submit collaborative applications aligned with the new federal rules. ICH noted that this accelerated timeframe will require “swift” action and “coordination” across the entire homeless-services network.
The Chatham-Savannah Authority for the Homeless (CSAH), is offering technical assistance, training sessions, and direct provider support to help organizations navigate the sudden policy shift, with a virtual Q&A session for applicants scheduled for Dec. 2.
“As we enter the Thanksgiving holiday, we are especially grateful for the work each of you does on behalf of our most vulnerable residents,” Kaple said. “Your commitment and compassion are the backbone of this system, and we are deeply appreciative.”
City Efforts Update
The city of Savannah recently reported some success with its own Housing Savannah Action Plan. So far, the effort has created, made available and improved nearly 3,000 homes, with more than $213 million invested, since 2022, driven largely by major growth in the Savannah Affordable Housing Fund after the action plan’s adoption, according to a Nov. 13 workshop presentation.
Much of the plan focuses on new housing for people experiencing or exiting homelessness, including the Dundee Cottages at 64 Dundee St. Costing more than $6.4 million and funded through a mix of local public and private investments, the recently completed housing development features 39 new affordable cottages for individuals and families experiencing or transitioning out of homelessness or at risk of becoming unhoused, according to a recent press release celebrating the community.
In addition to providing the vacant lot for the project, the city invested $3.5 million from SPLOST VII funds for the initial utility and roadway infrastructure that paved the way for construction of the cottages.
The city is also working with partners to develop 16 new 2-bedroom apartments for individuals facing homelessness at 916 Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard. The $6 million project is expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2026.
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