Program nears 100 families helped on home purchase, repair or construction

SAVANNAH, Ga., March 05, 2025 – Just days before Christmas, Phillip and Lallian Green received a life-changing “gift” – the keys to their new home.

Through the Savannah Affordable Housing Fund (SAHF), supported in part by the Georgia Ports Authority, and the City of Savannah Dream Maker Home Purchase Program, the couple received down payment assistance that enabled them to become homeowners.

“This is a blessing we never thought would happen,” Lallian Green said. “We are the first in our families to buy a home.”

The McIntyre Street residence in West Savannah will be home not only to the couple, but to their four grandchildren, two boys and two girls, aged 13 months to 10 years, whom they are adopting.

“Mr. and Mrs. Green beautifully showcase the incredible impact of our affordable housing programs,” said GPA President and CEO Griff Lynch. “We are continually inspired by the success stories of those able to repair or purchase a home through the aid of our contribution to the Savannah Affordable Housing Fund, and our partners at the Community Housing Services Agency and the City of Savannah Housing Services Department.”

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Georgia Ports has pledged a total of $6 million over eight years to support affordable and workforce housing initiatives.

The Port of Savannah Area Workforce Housing Initiative focuses on housing improvements for residents of neighborhoods in the vicinity of the Port of Savannah’s Garden City Terminal and Ocean Terminal. It prioritizes home repairs for existing neighborhood residents and homeowners. The program also supports eligible applicants with down payment assistance for first time home purchases in the Savannah area, including the city of Savannah, Garden City and Port Wentworth.

In the first year of investment (2023-2024), nearly $707,000 from the GPA program has gone to assist 73 owner-occupied home repairs, 16 home purchases through the Dream Maker program, six new home construction projects and down payment assistance for one GPA employee.

About Georgia Ports

Georgia’s ports and inland terminals support more than 609,000 jobs throughout the state annually, contributing $40 billion in income, $171 billion in revenue and $5.3 billion in state and local taxes to Georgia’s economy. GPA anticipates investing $4.2 billion in the next ten years as part of its port master plan to expand cargo handling capabilities to support future supply chain requirements. As part of GPA’s community engagement efforts, $6 million will be donated to communities located near the Port of Savannah to support a multi-year, local workforce housing initiative. CNBC ranked Georgia #1 in the U.S. for infrastructure in America’s Top States for Business in 2024. Area Development – a site selection news outlet for the U.S., has ranked Georgia as the Top State to Do Business for 11 consecutive years.  For further information, visit gaports.com or contact Edward Fulford, Manager of Media Relations, efulford@gaports.com 912-964-3806.