Chatham County hears pitch to sustain Project Hopewater as ARPA support ends
June 13, 2026 | Chatham County, Georgia
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Miss Long, a representative of the Chatham‑Savannah Authority for the Homeless, told the Chatham County Board of Commissioners that Project Hopewater has helped connect long‑term unsheltered residents to services, citing 16 people who were placed into housing (11 now employed) and saying the program has generated about 17,000 referrals.
"Because of that investment, we have made real progress in reducing unsheltered homelessness in our community," Miss Long said during the required public hearing on the FY2026–27 budget. She described Project Hopewater as a high‑acuity, high‑need mobile hygiene and case‑management program that requires skilled staff, specialized equipment and substantial insurance and maintenance costs.
County staff and commissioners clarified the program’s funding history: the trailer and initial operating contract were purchased with ARPA and other county funds and the program’s operating contract has been supported by ARPA expenditures. Staff said FY27 will be the first year the program must transition from ARPA operating funds into the county’s regular operating (blueprint) budget.
Officials estimated that a bare‑bones full year of operations would cost about $250,000, saying it would be difficult to sustain the program for less than that amount. Commissioners asked whether municipal partners or philanthropic donors could be recruited; Miss Long said staff would provide a per‑unit cost breakdown to help churches or businesses consider smaller donations.
On a consent budget amendment read later in the meeting, the board approved a package of transfers that included a $50,000 increase to the Chatham‑Savannah Authority for the Homeless for Project Hopewater to help bridge the funding transition into FY27.
The board did not adopt a separate policy change for the program at the meeting; commissioners indicated they expect staff to return with any additional funding options and with clearer cost breakdowns that could be used in community fundraising.
"Because of that investment, we have made real progress in reducing unsheltered homelessness in our community," Miss Long said during the required public hearing on the FY2026–27 budget. She described Project Hopewater as a high‑acuity, high‑need mobile hygiene and case‑management program that requires skilled staff, specialized equipment and substantial insurance and maintenance costs.
County staff and commissioners clarified the program’s funding history: the trailer and initial operating contract were purchased with ARPA and other county funds and the program’s operating contract has been supported by ARPA expenditures. Staff said FY27 will be the first year the program must transition from ARPA operating funds into the county’s regular operating (blueprint) budget.
Officials estimated that a bare‑bones full year of operations would cost about $250,000, saying it would be difficult to sustain the program for less than that amount. Commissioners asked whether municipal partners or philanthropic donors could be recruited; Miss Long said staff would provide a per‑unit cost breakdown to help churches or businesses consider smaller donations.
On a consent budget amendment read later in the meeting, the board approved a package of transfers that included a $50,000 increase to the Chatham‑Savannah Authority for the Homeless for Project Hopewater to help bridge the funding transition into FY27.
The board did not adopt a separate policy change for the program at the meeting; commissioners indicated they expect staff to return with any additional funding options and with clearer cost breakdowns that could be used in community fundraising.
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