The Yamacraw Village Resident Council (YVRC) seeks the support of the Greater Savannah community to ensure that Yamacraw residents' voices are heard in the demolition and redevelopment plans of Yamacraw Village.

We urge you to sign and share this petition in solidarity with our list of demands (below) for the Housing Authority of Savannah, which owns and operates public housing in Yamacraw Village.

Time is of the essence, as the Housing Authority plans to submit an application to HUD to demolish Yamacraw Village as soon as September of 2025.

You can skip straight to signing, or read below for background information and the list of resident demands.

Background

Yamacraw Village is a historic Black community that has offered affordable housing for Savannahians for generations.

Yamacraw residents want Yamacraw to continue to be a thriving community that provides low-resourced families a place to live and grow. That’s why we’re in favor of demolition, as we understand better than anyone that the current apartments in Yamacraw Village are in unacceptably poor condition.

However, we, the elected representatives of Yamacraw Village, also have several concerns about the Housing Authority of Savannah's current demolition plan.

As the Yamacraw Resident Council is working to ensure that the Housing Authority's final demolition plan reflects the needs of Yamacraw residents, we have sent the following list of demands to the Housing Authority.

The Demands

We as a community come together to demand the following to ensure the Affordable, Safe, and Resident-Driven Redevelopment of Yamacraw Village

1. One-for-One Replacement

Guarantee the rebuilding of all 315 housing units with permanent affordability at 30% of household income, maintaining tenant rights equal to current federal public housing protections, including income-based housing, "good cause" eviction protections, grievance procedures, and tenant organizing rights. Ensure adequate availability of 3- and 4-bedroom units to meet family needs.

2. Right to Return and Priority Re-Occupancy

Protect the right of all current residents to return to the redeveloped community without rescreening or penalties. Former residents displaced since 2020 shall receive second priority to return.

3. Minimized Disruption Through Phased Demolition

Commit to phased demolition and rebuilding to minimize disruption, allowing residents to remain safely on-site in stages during redevelopment.

4. Master Lease and Temporary Relocation Protections

Use a master lease approach guaranteeing that temporarily relocated residents retain the same lease rights and protections. If phased demolition is not feasible, provide alternative housing solutions or enhanced support for voucher holders.

5. Comprehensive Relocation Support

Provide an enforceable relocation plan including payment of security deposits, moving costs, utility deposits, and ongoing leasing support with extended deadlines to accommodate the limited Section 8 rental market.

6. Resident Input and Community Enhancements

Ensure the Yamacraw Resident Council has meaningful input on all major redevelopment decisions, including design, operations, and community improvements such as community spaces, grocery access, safety, parking, and recreational areas. Commit to monthly updates throughout the redevelopment process.