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Chatham County Leaders Advocate for Housing and Infrastructure at Georgia Capitol
Local officials push for affordable housing solutions and infrastructure funding during legislative session
Feb. 4, 2026 at 7:55pm
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Local leaders from Chatham County, Georgia spent a day at the state capitol advocating for their top priorities, including affordable housing and infrastructure. Discussions centered around potential changes to the state's low-income housing tax credits and proposals to exempt affordable housing projects from certain fees and taxes. Officials also highlighted the need to balance statewide solutions with local realities. Lawmakers are still evaluating the various ideas as the legislative session continues.
Why it matters
Affordable housing and infrastructure are major concerns for the Savannah region, as rising costs and growing homelessness put pressure on local communities. Chatham County leaders are working to ensure state-level policies and funding address the unique needs of their area.
The details
Chatham County leaders participated in a full slate of events at the Georgia State Capitol, including a city-hosted luncheon, a downtown community legislative hearing, and the annual legislative oyster roast. At the center of the discussions were proposals to change the state's low-income housing tax credits, such as exempting affordable housing projects from impact fees and sales taxes. Savannah Mayor Van Johnson stressed the importance of balancing statewide solutions with local needs, while State Senator Derek Mallow said lawmakers are still evaluating the various ideas.
- Chatham County leaders spent the day at the Georgia State Capitol on February 5, 2026.
- The Georgia General Assembly legislative session is currently underway.
The players
Derek Mallow
A state senator representing Chatham County.
Van Johnson
The mayor of Savannah.
Brian Kemp
The governor of Georgia, who has proposed a $50 million Homelessness Response Program.
What they’re saying
“We're always focusing on infrastructure, and we're always focusing on affordability. The state is too — but our definitions might be different. We want to make sure that what's being proposed doesn't end up creating new problems for local governments.”
— Van Johnson, Mayor of Savannah
“There are some unique things we can do if we're really serious about it. I'm not sold on all the proposals just yet, but I'm watching them closely.”
— Derek Mallow, State Senator, Chatham County
What’s next
As the legislative session continues, local officials say they'll keep pushing to make sure any changes coming out of Atlanta reflect the realities back home and help ease the housing pressure many residents are feeling.
The takeaway
Chatham County leaders are actively engaged in the state legislative process, advocating for solutions that address the region's pressing needs around affordable housing and infrastructure. Their efforts highlight the importance of state and local collaboration to develop policies that truly meet the unique challenges facing communities.
