Savannah Makes Owning a Home a Reality

Get a job, buy a house, and start a family… It’s the American Dream and while the City of Savannah can’t help you with the first or last on the list, it can help people own a home.   
The “Dream Maker” Home Purchase Program, gives people who otherwise wouldn’t be able to buy a home the money they need.   
So far it’s been a success… News Three’s Community Reporter Alice Massimi has more on the program and how it’s rejuvenating some areas of Savannah one neighborhood at a time.

Five new homes now line Richards Street in West Savannah.
It’s part of an effort to return this neighborhood to a vibrant place once again.
“It has undergone a major transformation for some reason for 30 or 40 years the neighborhood was just neglected and it became a very bad place,” explains Savannah Mayor Otis Johnson.
“The neighborhood had been going down to a point but it’s on the returning side now and it is going to take all of us to turn this occasion around,” says an optimistic Neighborhood President Kenneth Dunham.
A turnaround is exactly what it’s about…..for the neighborhood and for individuals.
The “Dream Maker” program brought one family back from the east side to the west side the Pinckneys now call this house a home.
Growing up right across the street from her new home, Karen says it’s nice to be back.
“Its really nice you know. This is really the only place I have ever known, growing up in this area. So to me this is home, on this side of town,” points out Karen Pickney. 
Living in the housing projects for years Karen is happy with the spacious three bedroom home.
“It has had a very important impact on our life. It’s a great opportunity especially being a first time home owner and it really has changed my perspective on life and how I am living it,” says Pickney.
Giving her a sense of pride and appreciation it’s emotions many hope will catch on.
“When you have homeowners in a neighborhood they care more about their environment and they become more involved in the association and other activities,” says Mayor Johnson. 
If you would like some more information on the city’s “Dream Maker’ Home Purchase Program call 651-6926 x 1927/ 1886. Or you can stop by their office at 10 East Bay Street, Savannah.