In a move collectively aimed at tackling the escalating problem of homelessness, Kalamazoo County has partnered with the cities of Kalamazoo and Portage to transform a Holiday Inn into a homeless shelter, specifically catering to families with children. According to a report by WZZM13, the Kalamazoo County Board of Commissioners sanctioned a $5.2 million budget for purchasing and renovating the hotel situated at 3630 East Cork Street. The collaborative funding initiative draws from the County’s housing millage and the cities’ contributions, including $1.2 million from COVID-19 relief funding provided by the City of Kalamazoo.
The project’s blueprint showcases a plan for more than 60 units committed to providing both emergency and longer-term residential shelter. Kalamazoo County Administrator/Controller Kevin A. Catlin told MLive, “We saw a growing problem in our community, with families on waitlists and nowhere to turn, we knew we had to act quickly.” This initiative responds not just to crowding issues in existing shelters but also to alarming statistics revealing that nearly 1,300 school-age children in the area were homeless during the last academic year.
Complementing the shelter’s housing capacity, officials promise a range of supportive services including case management, employment assistance, and help in finding permanent affordable housing. Mayor of Kalamazoo, David Anderson, emphasized the city’s ongoing investment into affordable housing projects, highlighting a commitment of nearly $29 million since 2020. He expressed steadfast support for the project in a statement obtained by WWMT, “The City of Kalamazoo recognizes the growing issue of homelessness and emergency and residential shelter space for families with children.”…