KALAMAZOO (WKZO AM/FM) — The Kalamazoo City Commission has agreed to explore a list of demands from the homeless camping out in Bronson Park but made no commitments and only agreed after they modified them first.
The group calling itself the “Bronson Park Freedom Encampment” demanded an investigation of the Gospel Mission, access to mental and physical health support, a vacant building by winter and a long range effort to address homelessness in the community.
Commissioners, meeting for a budget discussion, spent an hour on Monday discussing the demands.
They were reluctant to commit to most of them, especially the Gospel Mission investigation.
Vice Mayor Erin Knott says it’s not just the city’s problem, but a problem in every community throughout the county, so it should not be their responsibility alone.
In the end they agreed to have the task force to bring in other resources, explore the demands and report back periodically to the City Commission.
City Manager Jim Ritsema will report periodically if and when progress is made.
