Garden City is a thriving, independent community in the heart of Chatham County, and is a prime location to find Savannah homes for sale. This unique municipality features an unorthodox council-manager form of government, wherein open communication between citizens and the government is encouraged and each member has an equal say in policy and administrative policy and practice. On top of these progressive features, Garden City is also benefiting from something that can’t be found elsewhere in the Savannah communities. Namely, the Georgia Initiative for Community Housing (GICH) program has helped to form the Community Housing Team to help struggling local homeowners conduct repairs and maintenance projects.
What is the GICH?The GICH was launched by the Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA) and other state agencies in 2004 to “help communities create and launch a locally based plan to meet their housing and neighborhood revitalization needs,” according to their website. The program aims to provide repairs and maintenance for beautification and upkeep of the community, and it focuses on homeowners who earn low incomes or are elderly or disabled. Each recipient must fill out an application to be considered for assistance. The GICH is funded through various means, including the Georgia Power Company, the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development, and Wells Fargo.The GICH operates through three-year programs which start by gathering a team together from local governments, churches, and other local groups, then provides instruction and technical assistance so that they will be self-sufficient in their ongoing projects. Each individual initiative participates in a series of retreats, where housing teams work with a facilitator or housing professional to share and collaborate. The Community Housing Team for Garden City was formed in 2012, so their sponsorship through the GICH is coming to an end, and currently there are no other Savannah communities that benefit from the program. However, this particular Garden City volunteering team has plans to keep the program going independently.
What’s Next for the Garden City Community Housing Team?
Currently, the housing team is headed by Sharon Bethune, who has led the group in painting, repair, and even yard work for over a dozen houses since the start of the program four years ago. Bethune’s niece, Liz Thomas, who is also part of the group along with nine other participants such as Sharon’s husband Don Bethune, said that “I just like doing this kind of stuff. It gets me out, keeps me involved in things, gives me perspective. It keeps me from sitting on the couch watching cartoons all day.”
Sharon anticipates that they will be joined by church or student groups on the next project over the summer. She took pride in the wide variety of ages and personalities that come together to help, saying “We’re a community… Even though I don’t know as many people as I used to, people tend to know their neighbors here. I hope it stays that way. I want us to be able to continue to help a homeowner who needs help.”
As the GICH program ends its 3-year tenure, Sharon and the rest of the group hope to keep the work going independently of city hall. To do so, they plan on applying to become a 501-(c)3 nonprofit corporation, which will make any donations tax deductible. Bethune believes this will help them overcome their biggest obstacle: funding. “There’s a significant number of homes (in Garden City) that really need work,” she said, “but because of our limited funds, we’re not as capable of doing those type homes right now. You have to have the financial aid to be able to buy the materials. I think donations will pick up once we can get that (nonprofit) status.”
In the meantime, Sharon, her family, and the other generous volunteers will continue to help the citizens of their community. Just recently, on May 16th, they could be seen on Third Street painting the chipping features of a tiny house a new, pleasant royal blue, surrounded by fresh air, sunlight, and smiles.
If you are considering joining the Community Housing Team and getting involved in the Garden City volunteering scene, you should contact the Office of the City Manager for details and instructions. And if you are looking for Savannah homes for sale, this is a prime location to search for them.
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