March 31, 2026: Yamacraw Village Update

David Sunshine Hamburger, Yamacraw Resident Council attorney, updated us on the status of the Yamacraw Village, a public housing project build in 1941 to house low-income black residents of Savannah.  After years of deferred maintenance and inadequate security by the Savannah Housing Authority (HAS), the property fell into disrepair and HAS sent a request to HUD to demolish the property.   With the assistance or Sunshine, the Yamacraw Residence Council, certified by HUD in 2024, is fighting to keep their housing on the Yamacraw bluff.  While HAS agreed to the Council's demands to rebuild at least 100 deeply affordable housing units on the site, offer current residents the right to return to the rebuilt housing, and provide relocation assistance during demolition, they are not willing to put these demands into an enforceable agreement.   

The HAS pulled out of negotiations in early March, leaving the residents in limbo as to their future.  While there is great demand by developers to develop this site into market rate housing, the Yamacraw Resident Council, Attorney David Hamburger, and numerous organizations and individuals in the community, including First Bryan Church, are reaching out to the community to raise more than 1,000 voices to support the Resident Council.  More information about Yamacraw Village and the Resident Council can be found on YouTube ((473) yamacraw village savannah ga - YouTube), Instagram, and Facebook.   Voices of Resistance will continue to follow this situation and provide updates, including events for the public to get more informed and involved.

Next week, bereavement councilors from Hospice Savannah will be in the studio to talk about Camp Aloha, a special camping for children grieving the loss of a loved one.