What We Do
Choose a Program to Learn More:
EOA offers a number of programs and services to the Savannah-Chatham County area.
Housing & Homeless Services
- Comprehensive Housing Counseling
- Home Buyer Education
- Homeless Shelters
Housing and Homeless Services
SRO Homeless Permanent Housing
Foster Grandparents & RSVP
- Foster Grandparents
- Retired Senior Volunteer Program
Payee Program Social Security's Representative Payment Program provides benefit payment management for our beneficiaries who are incapable of managing their Social Security or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments.
- Payee Representation Program
Logistics and Manufacturing Career Fair -The Opportunity Center at Goodwill is Hosting along with partnering with the our organization, Economic Opportunity for Savannah-Chatham County Area, Inc.
Tom D. Austin House
The Tom D. Austin House program is a fully furnished permanent apartment complex with on-site support services for homeless families. Funding for the program is provided by the Department of Housing and Urban Development and Gulf Stream Foundation. The Austin House has twelve apartment units with a capacity of fifty-eight beds. The on-site support services consist of comprehensive case management, career development and daycare if needed. Eligibility is determined by the Homeless Authority. The property is located at 14 Martin L. King Blvd, Savannah, GA 31401. Contract Mr. Willie Brown at 912-443-9700 or email Willieb@eoasga.org.
Home Buyer Education
The Homebuyer Education Program is a partnership between EOA, the City of Savannah, and many local housing industry representatives. Funding for the program is provided by the City of Savannah’s General fund, Georgia Department of Human Services, Health and Human Services. The basic mission of the program is to help participants understand the steps required to becoming homeowners. Classes are held each Wednesday for four (4) weeks starting at 6:00 P. M. and ends at 9:00 pm.
Credit, debt reduction or debt elimination.
• Types of Mortgage loans (FHA, VA, Conventional)
• Selecting a Real Estate Professional
• Down Payment Assistance Program ( pros and cons)
• Debt to Income Ratio (What is it?).
• Selecting a Lender ( Mortgage or Mortgage Banker ? What is the difference?)
• Home Owners Insurance (How Much is Enough?)
• Foreclosure Prevention
• Much More!!
Home Buyer Education classes require ten hours of classroom instructions to obtain a certification of completion. Classes are conducted by trained and knowledgeable staff and other housing professionals (Realtors, Lenders, Home Inspectors, Fair Housing Professional, Insurance Professionals, Real Estate Attorneys, and experts on credit and debt elimination). For additional information and sign up for a class, call 912-238-2960 ext. 100 and 132, to speak to Mona Clark or email her at Monac@eoasga.org.
Comprehensive Housing Counseling
EOA Savannah provides a number of housing counseling services which include the following: loss mitigation (foreclosure prevention), rental counseling (eviction prevention, rental search assistance), budgeting, money management and financial literacy. The program also provides mortgage documentation review for existing mortgagors. Funding for the program is provided by Community Services Block.
Peeler House for Veterans
Permanent Housing for Homeless Veterans. Four two bedroom units with subsidized rent close to public transportation, Healthcare, grocery, shopping, post secondary educational institutions and much more. For additional information call 912-443-9700 or email, Willie Brown, III at Willieb@eoasga.org. The Peeler House is a partnership with the Veterans Administration and the Housing Authority of Savannah.
Head Start & Early Head Start
Head Start is the City of Savannah’s largest community based mainstream early childhood education program. The program is funded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and is designed to service the educational, psychological, and health needs of low-income families. The EOA Head Start program serves 447 children three to five years of age and offers high quality early childhood education, mental health, disability, medical, nutritional, and social services support for families.
The Economic Opportunity Authority and its Head Start Program takes a comprehensive approach to community building which includes integrated and comprehensive services for children and families through a network of public and private partnerships providing a county-wide, developmentally appropriate continuum of support and services.
In 1998, our program was expanded to include Early Head Start. The EOA Early Head Start program serves 153 children birth to two years of age, and provides services to pregnant mothers. Research has shown that cognitive development begins as early as birth; therefore; it is imperative that we provide educational opportunities that encourage healthy brain development. Like Head Start, Early Head Start also promotes a holistic approach comprised of an array of services provided to children and families. .
Federal regulation requires all Head Start agencies to establish School Readiness Goals, defined as: The expectations of children’s status and progress across domains of language and literacy development, cognition and general knowledge, approaches to learning, physical health and well-being and motor development, and social and emotional development that will improve readiness for kindergarten goals.” EOA Head Start/Early Head Start ensures that the educational staff implements effective and individualize instruction which assess all children on a formative basis throughout the year. EOA Head Start/Early Head Start implements Creative Curriculum Teaching Strategies GOLD to provide a systematic method for observing and assessing individualized development of children.
Job Development & Training
The EOA Savannah Work Force Development section consist of Job Development Services.
One of EOA’s goals is centered around the connection of jobs and the digital divide-assessing families, staff and the community in obtaining employment by keeping pace with technology.
Competition among job seekers is expected to become fierce in the coming months and years. With the Job Development Program, EOA Savannah has been successful in placing clients on jobs in the Savannah-Chatham County community.
If you need help with finding a job or finding a better job, contact our CSBG & low Income Energy and Water Programs Director, Arthur Best @ 912-238-2960 ext. 132 or email him at artb@eoasga.org
Foster Grandparents/ RSVP
When you volunteer, you’re not just helping others—you’re helping yourself. Volunteering leads to new discoveries and new friends. Plus, studies show that volunteering helps you live longer and promotes a positive outlook on life.
Foster Grandparents
When you share your love, time, and experience, you have the power to help a child who needs you. If you’re 55 and want to share your experience and compassion, you have what it takes to be a Foster Grandparent.
As a Foster Grandparent, you’re a role model, a mentor, and a friend. Serving at one of thousands of local organizations—including faith-based groups, Head Start Centers, schools, and other youth facilities—you help children learn to read, provide one-on-one tutoring, and guide children at a critical time in their lives. Put simply, you give the kind of comfort and love that sets a child on the path toward a successful future. Foster Grandparents serve up to 40 hours per week. With Foster Grandparents, you’ll receive pre-service orientation and training.
To Apply:
Applications for the Foster Grandparent Program may be obtained by calling 912-234-7842 or an individual may pick-up an application at 618 West Anderson St.
Eligibility:
Foster Grandparents must be 55 years of age or older and determined by a physical examination to be capable of serving children with exceptional or special needs, or children who are in circumstances identified as limiting their academic, social, or emotional development. Foster Grandparents must be able to provide such service without detriment to either themselves or the children served, and be willing to abide by the FGP program requirements.
Eligibility to be an FGP volunteer may not be restricted on the basis of formal education, experience, race; color; national origin; gender; sexual orientation; religion; age; disability; political affiliation; marital or parental status; or military service.
To be enrolled and receive a stipend, a Foster Grandparent cannot have an annual income, from all sources, deducting allowable medical expenses that exceed the income eligibility guideline for the state in which he or she resides.
Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP)
The Retired and Senior Volunteer program is made up of volunteers age 55 and older who tutor children, deliver meals, provide clerical assistance, provide tours at local museums, or whatever their skills and interests lead them to do
Eligibility:
RSVP volunteers must be 55 years of age or older, agree to serve on a regular basis without compensation, and reside in or nearby the community served by RSVP. They must also agree to abide by all legal requirements of the RSVP program and to accept instruction and supervision as required.
Eligibility to be an RSVP volunteer may not be restricted on the basis of race; color; national origin; gender; sexual orientation; religion; age; disability; political affiliation; marital or parental status; or military service.
To Apply:
Applications for the Foster Grandparent Program may be obtained by calling 912-234-7842 or an individual may pick-up an application at 618 West Anderson St.
Payee Program
EOA manages fixed income funds for individuals who cannot manage their own funds received primarily from the Social Security Administration. Funds are sent to EOA for individuals receiving SSI, Social Security Disability, and Social Security. EOA staff provide money management services to individuals by ensuring their basic needs such as shelter, food, clothing, and medical care are met. To date, EOA has managed millions of dollars in benefits for individuals participating in the program. The EOA Payee Representation program has been commended by both the Social Security Administration, and Former U.S. Representative Jack Kingston for its work with those in need. EOA enables these clients the opportunity to live independently without being institutionalized.
For additional information call the following number 912-238-2960 ext. 127 and 145 or email Betty White or Phyllis Mackey at the following emails for additional information, BettyC@eoasga.org or PhyllisM@eoasga.org
Relatives As Parents Program (RAPP)
Economic Opportunity Authority for Savannah-Chatham County Area, Inc., host monthly support groups for grandparents raising grandchildren and relatives as parents on the third Thursday of each month, at 3:00 p.m., in the boardroom of the Aaron L. Buchsbaum Learning Center,1120 May Street, Savannah, GA. The Relatives as Parents Program is funded under the Brookdale Foundation Group.
The support group is designed for grandparents and other relatives who have taken on the responsibility of surrogate parenting due to the absence of the parents. Each support meeting includes speakers to provide information about the various resources available in our community to assist parents.
For more information, please contact Debbie Walker at
debbiew@eoasga.org or 912-238-2960 ext. 125 or 126.
Low Income Energy Assistance Program
Low Income Energy Assistance Program administered by the Governor’s Department of Human Services with funds provided by the United States Department of Health and Human Services.
Low Income Heating and Energy Assistance Program
The program provides heating assistance funds to individuals and families in Chatham County which includes all eight municipalities and the unincorporated county. Currently (2022-2023) eligible citizens who obtain and appointment will receive $350 – $500 to help with heating costs Seniors (65 years of age and older) and home-bound individuals will be provided assistance to their heating provider during the month of November 2022. Appointments for seniors will be open on November 1, 2022, before other income eligible households. Seniors must make appointments by phone to the following number 912-721-7910 starting at 7:00 pm.
Low-Income Heating and Energy Assistance Program
a. Seniors (65 Years of age and older) will be able to apply for assistance on November 1, 2022 by calling the following number starting at 7:00 pm, 912-721-7910 (this is the only number that can be used to obtain an appointment).
b. There is a limited number of appointments and it is anticipated that all appointments will issued.
c. Callers must provide their own Social Security Number for an appointment.
Regulated Marketing Program
The agency helps poor Chatham County residents with having their gas restored as supported by the Public Service Commission and the Governor’s Department of Human Services. The agency staff advocates with SCANN Regulated to help poor individuals and families obtain heating.
For additional information for this these programs call the following number with extensions:
912-238-2960. Extensions 137, 139, or 129
Our Partners
