March 11, 2025: Yamacraw Housing in Peril

Elder Ned Williams joined us for a conversation about Yamacraw Housing, a 300+ low-income housing program located west of MLK and south of Bay Street that is now in peril of demolition.  Built by the federal government in 1940, funded by the Housing and Urban Development Department (HUD), and owned and managed by the Housing Authority of Savannah (HAS), the housing has deteriorated due to years of deferred maintenance and neglect.  HAS sent a demolition request to HUD claiming it would be more cost effective to demolish and rebuild than rehabilitate the housing, which was returned for more information from the City.  Elder Ned, the son of an activist mother, got involved when he realized the remaining tenants were not given adequate voice in the decisions being made regarding Yamacraw and their housing needs.   Ned worked with the remaining residents to create the Yamacraw Residents Council, which has been recognized by HAS, to give the remaining 100+ Yamacraw residents a voice.

He has also created the Residents Council Building Project to get the community involved and the IW Cheever Vision Foundation to give Savannah residents a vehicle for donating to the Yamacraw and the adjacent Fraser Housing Residents Councils.  The Residents Council Building Project will be meeting on Monday, March 24 at 5:30 pm at the St. Philip AME Church at 613 MLK Boulevard in Savannah and community members are welcome to attend.