County seatSavannah
People living here311,855
Help availableGeorgia Dream PEN
What to know about Chatham
Chatham County is on the Georgia coast. Savannah is the county seat, with Pooler, Garden City, Port Wentworth and Tybee Island nearby.
The Savannah-Chatham County Public School System is the county's single public district, so if you work in any of its schools or offices you fit the educator rule. Public safety employers include the Savannah Police Department, Chatham County Police Department, Chatham County Sheriff's Office and Savannah Fire Department.
Chatham is not in the Atlanta or Athens tiers, so it uses the statewide limits: $116,955 in income for three or more people and a $475,000 price cap. If your household earns more, Peach Plus has higher limits.
The Chatham limits
Household of 1 or 2$101,700
Household of 3 or more$116,955
Highest home price$475,000
Chatham uses the standard statewide limits of $101,700 (1-2 people), $116,955 (3+) and a $475,000 price cap. Compare with every county's limits, or try a budget before you shop.
More help that is local to Chatham
Some of these can sit alongside the state program, and some cannot. Your lender sorts out which pairings are allowed before anything is signed.
City of Savannah
- For
- Qualified first-time buyers purchasing inside Savannah city limits
- Amount
- Up to $50,000 (housing developed in partnership with the City) or up to $30,000 (all other housing) for down payment, closing costs and/or gap financing
- Kind
- Deferred loan, due when you sell or refinance
- Income cap
- Household income restrictions apply (limits not shown on page)
- First-time buyers only?
- Yes
- Also required
- 2% interest, 30-year deferred-payment loan; private and City inspections required; pre-1978 homes cannot have defective paint; property must be in Savannah city limits
Applications ongoing year-round while funds remain. Contact downpayment@savannahga.gov, (912) 651-6926.
Last checked November 2026 · our sources
Read our full write-upCheck whether I fitBrowse all Georgia programs
Homebuyer classes near Chatham
Nearly every assistance program asks you to finish a homebuyer class before you close. It is usually friendlier than people expect. Here are HUD-approved agencies near Chatham County that teach the class or meet with buyers one on one:
| Agency | City | How far | What they offer | Languages | How you meet |
|---|
| Jcvision and Associates, Inc | Hinesville | 31 mi | homebuyer education class, pre-purchase counseling | English, Spanish | Face to Face, Phone |
From HUD's list of housing counseling agencies. Programs differ on which classes they accept.
Which class will count for you? Ask the lender. Someone who works with Georgia programs knows which class your program takes, and can begin your pre-approval during the same conversation.
Find me a lender
Local employers whose staff may qualify
A few of the larger ones:
- Savannah-Chatham County Public School System
- Savannah Police Department
- Chatham County Police Department
- Chatham County Sheriff's Office
- Savannah Fire Department
Savannah Police and Chatham County Police are separate agencies; employees of either qualify as protectors. See the full list of jobs.
Questions from Chatham buyers
Can I buy a condo in Savannah with PEN?
Yes. Condos and townhomes are allowed if they are your main home and meet Georgia Dream rules.
Why is Chatham's price limit lower than Atlanta's?
Georgia Dream sets three tiers. Chatham falls in the all-other-counties tier at $475,000.
Can I use PEN for a vacation home on Tybee?
No. The home must be your owner-occupied main residence.
Nearby counties: Fulton Gwinnett Cobb DeKalb Cherokee Clayton Forsyth Henry See them all
