SAVANNAH, Ga. (WTOC) – Residents of Yamacraw Village confronted housing officials Wednesday about their future if the historic downtown neighborhood is demolished and redeveloped.
The Savannah Housing Authority held a special meeting to address concerns about the potential demolition of Yamacraw Village, which has existed since 1941. Current residents and advocates passionately demanded answers about what will happen to people living in the village after demolition.
“No suit can stop the truth, no men in suits get to displace black and brown people because they don’t have enough resources to afford dignity,” one advocate said at the meeting. “This is about people not being able to afford dignity, and men like you think that black people without money don’t deserve dignity and don’t deserve housing.”
Housing authority awaits federal approval
The housing authority is waiting for approval from the Department of Housing and Urban Development to demolish Yamacraw Village. The once-segregated community for African Americans once held over 300 units, but that number has shrunk to under 100. Current residents say that as people move out, boards go up over vacant units…