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History
The Georgia Legislature created the Chatham-Savannah Authority for the Homeless in 1989 to accomplish the following:
This Community-based organization fulfills its role through collaborative arrangements and innovative partnerships with providers of services, and advocates, local governments, religious bodies, civic clubs, law enforcement officials, social agencies, volunteer organizations, and other groups with similar goals and objectives. The City planning staff works closely with Authority members and staff to ensure the participation of residents and local merchants in dealing with a broad range of concerns affecting homeless people. Presently funded by the City of Savannah, the Department of Community Affairs, and other local, state, and federal sources, the organization has instituted a planning process that emphasizes the development of a comprehensive and integrated system of social services based on case management to assist homeless people and those at risk of becoming homeless. As an umbrella agency responsible for the coordination of services for homeless people in the community, the Authority has established working relationships with each of the social service agencies involved in homeless issues. When problems surface surrounding homelessness, they are brought to the attention of the Authority by service providers, advocates for homeless people, local government, and homeless people themselves. To resolve the problems or attend to the issue at hand, the Authority marshals resources to respond to needy parties and encourages joint decision-making. This all-inclusive approach has enabled the Authority to address concerns voiced by many different agencies in the community in a collective manner. As a direct result, the Homeless Continuum of care is viewed by the public as a cohesive unit with individual agencies combining knowledge, skill, and resources for a common purpose. Shelters and service providers advocate together and pursue joint ventures when gaps in service delivery are identified. Educational forums are held to increase the ability of elected officials to retain funding for Homeless programs and secure monies for new initiatives. Over the last 10 years the Chatham-Savannah Continuum of Care has developed a wide array of services from an increase in emergency shelter beds, to the development of transitional and permanent housing programs. In addition, many needed supportive services were identified, developed, and successfully implemented. As a result, Savannah has demonstrated a 37% reduction in homelessness over a 10- year period. |
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Savannah has had a rich history of developing innovative approaches to address community needs. As a result of an increase in the number of homeless people, the community conceived of the Chatham-Savannah Authority for the Homeless in order to mount a systematic response.
This unique body was charged with the responsibility of addressing the many issues surrounding the problems of homelessness. The Authority was comprised of representatives from the City of Savannah, Chatham County, the Georgia Department of Labor, the local Board of Education, the Georgia Department of Community Affairs (Housing Trust Fund), the Georgia Department of Human Resources, the Housing Authority of Savannah, and eight (8) additional appointees elected by the Authority members which include the homeless.