An enchanting city celebrated for its historic architecture and Southern allure is now grappling with issues of homelessness and drug activity under the leadership of a Democratic mayor.

Savannah, Georgia, heralded as one of the most beautiful cities in the United States, boasts over 20 public squares adorned with churches, townhouses, and historic structures draped in Spanish moss.

However, when Dennis Lennox, a travel journalist for the Christian Post, revisited the city last year, he observed a significant increase in the homeless population, accompanied by open drug use.

“Benches and shrubs had turned into temporary shelters,” Lennox noted in a Sunday column. “In several areas, the air was thick with the scent of marijuana.”

At Reynolds Square, where a statue commemorates the founder of Methodism, Lennox witnessed blatant drug consumption.

“Individuals were injecting and smoking openly in daylight,” he remarked. “The scent was unmistakable, and there was a noticeable absence of law enforcement.”

Similar scenes sprang up across the city, according to Lennox.

‘A leisurely stroll, particularly in the early morning, became an exercise in caution; watching where to step, skirting encampments and avoiding potential confrontation.’  

Savannah, Georgia has been plagued by homelessness

Savannah, Georgia has long been promoted as one of the America’s prettiest cities

When Dennis Lennox, a travel reporter for the Christian Post , returned to the city last year, he said he found it overrun by homeless individuals who engaged in overt drug use

City officials have since adopted an ordinance prohibiting urban camping, and by late 2025, police had issued 179 citations and made 15 arrests.

They also put together a five-year strategic plan to end homelessness in the city. 

‘Access to mental health care is really critical, access to employment services and most importantly housing,’ Jennifer DuLong, CEO for Chatham Scranton Authority for the homeless, told WTOC. 

‘With a plan like this, we can actually really effectively remove and resolve homelessness,’ added Stephanie Kaple, the Executive Director of the Savannah Chatham County Interagency Council on Homelessness, the lead organization in the plan’s development.

Yet problems have persisted, as residents started mixing Xylazine, also known as tranq, with fentanyl in February 2025 for a stronger high, according to WSAV.  

The Homeless Authority also reported 457 sheltered and 172 unsheltered people during last year’s point-in-time survey, which is required by the federal Housing and Urban Development to allow organizations and agencies to receive federal funds.

The data shows that while the population of people experiencing homelessness in Savannah rose from 579 in 2024 to 628 in 2025, the number of people living unsheltered decreased, the Current reports.

That could suggest that coordinated efforts, including access to emergency beds and permanent supportive housing have been effective in reducing the number of homeless individuals.

Meanwhile, records show the number of recorded encampments in Chatham County plummeted from 80 in 2023 to 39 in 2025.

‘The ultimate goal is to put a roof over everyone’s head, but we can’t start there,’ Chris Wilson, an outreach case manager, told the Current. 

Residents in Savannah have started mixing Xylazine, also known as tranq, with fentanyl. Xylanzine users are pictured here 

Despite the setbacks, Democratic Mayor Van Johnson described Savannah as a ‘championship program’ in his State of the City address in November 2025.

‘Savannah will be safe,’ he vowed. ‘Savannah will thrive economically. Savannah will be safe, healthy and thriving for all of its citizens. And all means all.

‘Savannah is winning. 

‘The state of our city is financially stable, foundationally deep and forward thinking.’

He noted that city officials had already recruited a special prosecutor for the Southern District if Georgia’s courts handle federal offenses.

Special US Attorney Makeia Jonese has since handled at least 59 open cases and has secured 23 federal indictments including major convictions of serious criminals.

To prevent further chaos, the Savannah city council also approved a controversial move that addressed firearms in unlocked vehicles.

As of 2024, there were 245 guns stolen from unlocked vehicles in Savannah, authorities said.

‘We know that these firearms are being stolen and used in criminal crimes, so we acted to defend public safety,’ Jonese said.

Democratic Mayor Van Johnson described Savannah as a ‘championship program’ in his State if the City address in November 2025. He is pictured with former Vice President Kamala Harris and Minnesota Governor Tim Waltz as they campaigned for the White House in 2024

City officials said they have since issued 41 citations, 30 in 2025 alone, to assuage the authorities as 153 firearms were reported stolen.

‘We know that these firearms are being stolen to defend public safety,’ Mayor Johnson said, noting that in just one year the city has seen a nearly 40 percent decline in firearms being stolen from unlocked vehicles.

Authorities have also implemented a City of Savannah’s Top 10 Most Wanted list, the mayor said, as he applauded the Dundee Cottages project comprising 39 new cottages and 16 brand new apartments for people experiencing homelessness.

City officials have provided 679 dwellings, homeowner home repairs for 586 dwellings, homebuyer assistance for 165 individuals, infill housing for 234 dwellings and acquired 72 blighted properties, Johnson said in November. 

Indirect investments from the Savannah Affordable Housing fund further helped support applications for three low-income housing tax credits, service centers and infrastructure.

Those tax credits will now help developers build 41 new affordable units for people experiencing homelessness, officials said. 

Still, Lennox said he has no desire to return to the Georgia city anytime soon.

‘Savannah’s beauty is real,’ he wrote. ‘Its Oglethorpe plan remains one of the most distinctive urban designs in the country. Its architecture endures,’ the travel columnist said of the man who developed the city of roughly 15,000.

‘But beauty requires maintenance, clean, safe public spaces, consistent enforcement and policies that prioritize residents and visitors alike.

‘For now, I am in no hurry to return,’ the columnist continued. ‘There are other destinations where a long-planned trip is not marred by conditions no historic American city should tolerate.

‘Savannah can reclaim its squares and its promises, but only with sustained commitment from its leaders,’ Lennox concluded.