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Bill

HB 797

Homelessness Prevention Act of Chatham County; enact

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Carl Gilliard and 3 co-sponsors

Georgia enacts Chatham County homelessness prevention law establishing local framework to address housing instability through preventative measures rather than emergency response.

Effective Date
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HB 797

Legislative bill overview

HB 797 establishes a homelessness prevention framework specific to Chatham County, Georgia. The bill was signed into law on May 1, 2025, and became effective immediately as Act 50. The legislation creates mechanisms and potentially funding structures to address homelessness through preventative measures rather than solely emergency interventions.

Why is this important

Chatham County (which includes Savannah) faces documented homelessness challenges, and prevention-focused legislation can reduce strain on emergency services, shelters, and social systems while being more cost-effective than crisis response. Early intervention through rental assistance, eviction prevention, or case management typically costs less per person than emergency room visits, jail stays, or shelter operations.

Potential points of contention

  • Funding clarity: The bill's specific funding source and amount allocated for prevention programs are not detailed in available summaries, raising questions about implementation capacity
  • Scope limitations: County-level legislation may leave gaps in coverage or create inconsistencies with state/federal homelessness policies and resources
  • Effectiveness metrics: Without specified performance benchmarks or reporting requirements, measuring whether prevention efforts actually reduce homelessness rates could be difficult

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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