What the Housing Authority of Savannah does

The Housing Authority of Savannah (HAS) is a public agency that owns and manages public housing in Savannah, Georgia, and administers the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher program for the city and surrounding areas. It does not set housing policy for the city or regulate private landlords — it operates housing itself and distributes vouchers that help low-income renters pay for private apartments. If you live in public housing owned by HAS or hold a Section 8 voucher from them, HAS is your landlord or your voucher administrator.

HAS serves residents across Chatham County and parts of surrounding counties. The agency maintains dozens of public housing properties, from single-family homes to apartment complexes. It also manages the waiting list for Section 8 vouchers, which is separate from the waiting list for public housing itself — you can be on both lists at once, but they move at different speeds and have different rules.

Key Takeaways

  • The Housing Authority of Savannah owns and manages public housing properties and administers Section 8 vouchers; it is not the same as the city housing department or code enforcement.
  • Public housing and Section 8 vouchers have separate waiting lists, different rent calculations, and different lease terms — being on one does not move you up on the other.
  • You can contact HAS directly to ask about current waiting list status, maintenance requests, or lease questions; they have a main office and a customer service line.
  • If you have a dispute with HAS about your lease, rent calculation, or eviction, you have the right to a hearing before HAS can remove you from public housing.
  • HAS follows federal public housing rules set by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), so protections and procedures are similar across all public housing authorities.

Public housing managed by HAS

HAS owns and operates public housing properties throughout Savannah. These are apartments and homes that HAS rents to low-income households at below-market rates. Rent is calculated as 30 percent of your household's adjusted gross income, or the HAS minimum rent, whichever is higher. The minimum rent varies but is typically between $50 and $100 per month. You pay HAS directly, not a private landlord.

To live in HAS public housing, you must meet income limits set by HUD each year. These limits depend on household size and change annually. You also must pass a background check and provide proof of income and residency. HAS maintains a waiting list for public housing, and the wait time varies depending on the property type and current demand. Some properties have longer waits than others.

If you live in HAS public housing, you sign a lease with HAS that includes house rules, maintenance responsibilities, and lease terms. HAS is responsible for major repairs and maintenance. You are responsible for keeping the unit clean and reporting damage. If HAS wants to evict you, they must give you written notice and a chance to respond before filing in court — you have the right to a hearing.

Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers from HAS

HAS also administers the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher program. A Section 8 voucher is a subsidy that helps you pay rent in a private apartment or house. You find your own place, the landlord agrees to accept the voucher, and HAS pays the landlord a portion of the rent. You pay the difference, usually 30 percent of your income. The voucher covers the gap between what you pay and the fair market rent HAS sets for your area.

The Section 8 waiting list is separate from the public housing waiting list. Wait times for Section 8 vouchers in Savannah have been long — sometimes several years — because demand exceeds the number of vouchers available. HAS opens the waiting list periodically when funding allows, but it is often closed. You can call HAS to ask whether the Section 8 waiting list is currently open.

Once you receive a voucher, you have a limited time to find a landlord willing to accept it. Not all landlords participate in Section 8. You must find a unit that meets HAS inspection standards and costs no more than the fair market rent limit for that bedroom size. HAS inspects the unit before you move in and annually after that. If the landlord or unit fails inspection, you cannot move in or must move out.

How to contact the Housing Authority of Savannah

HAS has a main office in Savannah where you can go in person to ask questions, request forms, or report maintenance issues. The office is located at 2 East 41st Street, Savannah, Georgia 31405. You can also call their main line or customer service line to ask about waiting list status, lease questions, or maintenance requests. Phone numbers and office hours are on the HAS website.

If you need to submit documents — such as income verification, lease renewal forms, or maintenance requests — you can do so in person, by mail, or sometimes by email or online portal, depending on the document type. Ask HAS which method they prefer for what you need to submit. Keep copies of everything you send.

Rent calculations and income recertification

In HAS public housing, your rent is recalculated each year based on your household income. You must report your income to HAS annually, usually during a recertification appointment. If your income goes down, your rent goes down. If your income goes up, your rent goes up. HAS uses your adjusted gross income, which may exclude certain earnings or benefits depending on HUD rules.

You must report changes in household composition — if someone moves in or out, if you have a baby, or if someone loses a job — within 30 days. Failure to report changes can result in back rent owed or lease violations. If you disagree with HAS's calculation of your income or rent, you can request a hearing to challenge it.

For Section 8 vouchers, your rent contribution is also 30 percent of your adjusted gross income, but the calculation may differ slightly from public housing. HAS will explain your rent share when you receive your voucher and recalculate it annually.

Maintenance and repairs in HAS housing

If you live in HAS public housing and something breaks — a leaky roof, broken appliance, plumbing issue, or heating problem — you must report it to HAS in writing or by phone. HAS is required to make repairs within a certain timeframe depending on the severity. Emergency repairs (no heat, no water, safety hazards) must be addressed quickly. Non-emergency repairs may take longer.

Keep a record of when you reported the problem and follow up if HAS does not respond. If HAS fails to make necessary repairs, you may have the right to withhold rent or break your lease in some circumstances, but you must follow the correct legal procedure — do not straightforward stop paying rent without documenting the problem and giving HAS notice. Contact a legal aid organization if you need help.

If you hold a Section 8 voucher, the landlord is responsible for repairs, not HAS. However, HAS inspects the unit annually to may support it meets housing quality standards. If the unit fails inspection due to maintenance issues, HAS will not pay the subsidy until repairs are made.

Lease violations and eviction from HAS housing

If HAS believes you have violated your lease — by not paying rent, having unauthorized occupants, damaging the unit, or breaking house rules — they must give you written notice. The notice will state what the violation is and how many days you have to fix it (usually 14 to 30 days, depending on the violation). If you fix the problem within that time, the violation is resolved.

If you do not fix the violation or if it is something that cannot be fixed (like a criminal conviction), HAS can proceed with eviction. Before HAS files in court, you have the right to a hearing before an HAS official. At this hearing, you can present your side of the story and challenge HAS's claim. You can bring a witness or representative. If HAS wins the hearing, they can then file for eviction in court.

If HAS files for eviction in court, you have the right to defend yourself in court. You can argue that the violation did not happen, that you fixed it, or that HAS did not follow proper procedure. An eviction judgment means you must leave the property, usually within a few days to a few weeks depending on the court order.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is the waiting list for HAS public housing?

Wait times vary by property type and current demand. Some properties have waits of a few months; others may be several years. Call HAS directly to ask about the current wait for the specific property type you are interested in. They can tell you your position on the list if you are already on it.

Is the Section 8 waiting list open right now?

The Section 8 waiting list opens and closes depending on funding and demand. Call HAS at their main number to ask whether the list is currently open. If it is closed, ask when it is expected to reopen. You can also check the HAS website for updates.

What happens if I cannot pay my rent to HAS?

Contact HAS when ready and explain your situation. HAS may be able to work out a payment plan or refer you to emergency rental information programs in Savannah. Do not ignore the bill — unpaid rent is grounds for eviction. The sooner you communicate with HAS, the more options you may have.

Can HAS evict me without a hearing?

No. HAS must give you written notice of the violation, a chance to fix it, and a hearing before an HAS official before they can file for eviction in court. You have the right to present your side at that hearing. Only after the hearing can HAS proceed to court.

What if I disagree with my rent calculation?

Request a hearing with HAS to challenge the calculation. Bring documentation of your income — pay stubs, tax returns, benefit letters — to show HAS made an error. If you win, HAS must recalculate your rent and may owe you a refund for overpayment.