KALAMAZOO, Mich. — A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held Thursday to celebrate the official launch of three “tiny houses” intended for people who struggle to find housing in Kalamazoo.
The project, organized by the nonprofit Helping Other People Exceed Thru Navigation (HOPE), was green lit in 2018 after the city allocated millions into addressing poverty as part of the 2019 fiscal year budget.
- Previous coverage: Groundbreaking begins for tiny homes designed for marginalized tenants in Kalamazoo
The tiny houses were built for people turned away by landlords due to their past convictions or substance use disorders.
The $500,000 project was delayed in 2020 for logistical reasons related to the COVID-19 pandemic, but HOPE CEO and Founder Gwendolyn Hooker said rental applications are now officially available.
“Today is actually the first opportunity to have access to a rental application,” Hooker said. “We’re about two weeks out from getting, well, actually, a week-and-a half-out from getting our rental occupancy permit. And so, we definitely are in a position to offer the rental applications and start processing them.”…