KALAMAZOO (WKZO AM/FM) — City Commissioners are working to address the homeless issue in Kalamazoo after a 5 hour meeting turned heated.
Commissioner Shannon Sykes Nehring verbally assaulted the others on the board for not making homelessness their top priority, yelling and swearing repeatedly before storming out.
She then joined the protesters in Bronson Park and spent the night with the homeless.
After she left, the other commissioners encouraged City Manager Jim Ritsema to work on his plan to find a better location than the fire station for the group currently protesting, and to continue his efforts at seeking short and long term solutions.
A meeting of the work group is planned for Wednesday.
Homeless protesters also packed the meeting voicing their concerns that their new campsite on the front driveway of the old Fire Station #1 is inhumane.
Many of the homeless also admitted to being kicked out of the Gospel Mission and Ministry with Community’s daytime shelter for violating their rules.
The group has been camping in the park for weeks, pushing city leaders to provide more resources and do something about Kalamazoo’s homeless issue.
On Friday they agreed to leave the park in exchange for the Cedar Street location for 30 days, but now they’re complaining that they have no shade and the property is overcrowded.
City Manager Jim Ritsema says the city is hoping to find ways to help Kalamazoo’s homeless population within the 30 days.
During the meeting city commissioners endorsed a plan to increase development on the Northside, rezoned land for low income housing and supported plans to help the homeless.
