What if the solution to Savannah’s housing crisis is already here—in plain sight? In a neighbor’s backyard, a church parking lot, a dusty duplex zoning rule? We don’t need billion-dollar answers. We need 5,000 backyards, 500 neighbors, and a city brave enough to say “yes” to its own people.
Savannah and our surrounding counties can address housing issues incrementally—one structure at a time. This isn’t just theory; it’s practice. I’ve done it. With the right support, seasoned developers and citizen developers alike can do it again and again.
These ideas aren’t new or original. They’re lived-in lessons from years of developing homes in Thunderbolt and Savannah. As an incremental developer, I typically take on one or two projects at a time. Occasionally, I’ll scale up, like with Village on the Bluff in Thunderbolt—a half-acre cottage court with seven cottages and a mixed-use building.
But here’s the rub: zoning, tax policy, and government sluggishness are not just inconveniences—they’re actively worsening our housing issues. Savannah is full of doers who care. So let’s give them room to act. Here’s how we can support citizen developers and fund programs that solve housing needs—one dwelling at a time.
1. Loosen Zoning for Missing Middle Housing
Duplexes, quads, cottage courts—they already exist in our neighborhoods and they’re in high demand. Many single and double-income households without kids prefer compact, lower-maintenance living with lower utility bills and a higher quality of life.
Planning and Zoning departments should not be requiring individual citizens to navigate Byzantine text amendments just to allow sensible density. It’s time for P&Z staff to educate themselves, the public, and our leaders. This is basic housing literacy—let’s get fluent, fast.
2. Train the Citizen and Faith-Based Developers
Let’s bring programs like the Incremental Development Alliance and Neighborhood Evolution to Savannah. These respected organizations train local citizens to build what their neighborhoods actually need.
Often, these new developers already own land they can contribute as equity. Imagine the potential if we also engaged Rooted Good, a faith-based consultancy, to help churches transform their missions into housing realities.
3. Make Infrastructure Work Financially
Sidewalks, sewers, and streets are expensive—and guess what? Missing Middle Housing often boosts the return on those investments. Hire an infrastructure assessor to help us enhance ROI and plan smarter development around our existing public assets.
4. Pilot Proof-of-Concept Projects with Local Developers
Governments are often hesitant to take on development themselves—but they don’t have to. Savannah is blessed with skilled, experienced developers who can demonstrate how Missing Middle Housing can be seamlessly woven into existing communities.
Support these developers. Document their work. Use it to train city staff, inspire citizens, and shift public perception.
5. Finance Social Good with Low-Interest Loans
Savannah needs a Community Housing Fund—and other low-interest financial tools—now.
Take a page from the Land Bank’s playbook: they issue 0% loans to citizen developers. Why not extend this approach to vetted private developers too? These folks can often move faster, with fewer resources, and greater efficiency. Let’s reward that efficiency and maximize the use of program dollars.
6. Unlock the Power of Backyard Cottages
My company estimates that Chatham County has 20,000 backyards eligible for accessory dwelling units (ADUs). According to AARP, 1 in 4 homeowners would consider adding one. That’s 5,000 backyard opportunities—a sleeping asset.
So let’s wake it up.
What programs can we create to activate this potential? How can we finance it? Could we pair this with an aging-in-place initiative? What if we trained a new generation of small-scale developers to transform these yards into affordable homes?
In my eyes, our region is full of opportunities and even fuller of people who care. So here’s my question to you:
Would you consider becoming a citizen developer if a support program existed? Where do you see missed opportunities in Savannah? Would you lend to a community fund that builds real housing?
Let’s build something—together.
You can reach me anytime at http://lauriedevegter.com.