August 12, 2025: Housing: A Right, A Privilege, A Commodity

We had an incredible discussion on housing on the 8/12/25 edition of VoR&R with guests Opollo Johnson and Laura Lane McKinney.  Opollo is affiliated with so many community organizations, including Makers Space (About – Savannah Makerspace), , 912 Group (The 912 Group | Savannah Event Planners, Music Festivals & Nonprofit Promotions), Savannah Democratic Socialists of America/The Bigger We (Home - Savannah Chapter of Democratic Socialists of America).  Laura is the  Executive Director of Housing Savannah (Housing Savannah, Inc.) and involved with YIMBY Savannah ((20+) YIMBY Savannah | Facebook).

We talked about the state of housing in Savannah--unavailable and unaffordable for so many--and what can be done to increase both the supply of affordability of housing in the City.  Reforms of zoning, permitting, parking and taxing/assessments are needed, as well as developers willing to create affordable vs. market rate housing.   Toward that end, Laura talked about a program called JUMP Start Coastal Georgia, a 10-week small-scale real estate development training program beginning on September 8, 2025, that introduces local residents to community-focused development, modeled after a similar program in Philadelphia, PA (Housing Savannah, Inc.).   

We all agreed that housing is a right, and we can all work toward that goa.  Opollo encouraged people to attend the next Democratic Socialists of American meeting on August 23 at 7:30 pm at the Sentient Bean to learn more about creating a community where housing, healthcare, and food are rights.

Next week on Voices of Reason and Resistance, we will ask:  Healthcare:  A Right, A Privilege, A Commodity.   Scroll over the links above for more information and tune in next Tuesday, April 19 to VoR&R.  There will always be resistance to make a better world for all of us.


  • 11:00am Show 15 Part 1 by Voices of Reason on Single
  • 12:00pm Finding Happiness Episode 42 by Robert Pawlicki on Finding Happiness
  • 12:05pm Show 15 by Voices of Reason on Single
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