KALAMAZOO COUNTY, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — As absentee voters begin receiving their ballots in the mail, those in Kalamazoo County will be asked about a millage request to provide more affordable housing in the area.
A group called “Homes For All” launched a campaign Thursday at the Milham Meadows Apartments on Mallard Circle in Portage in hopes of encouraging people to vote yes on the millage question.
Homes for All launching their campaign in Portage. (Photo courtesy of John McNeill)
The proposal is .75 mills for eight years, which would cost the owner of a $100,000 home about $38 per year. That would help raise about $6.3 million dollars in the first year and about $50 million over the eight year life of the millage.
The money would be used to provide rental subsidies and permanent housing for those who need it and offer other related supportive services for residents in Kalamazoo County.
Organizers of the group say housing costs are currently too high for many low income residents, whether they’re minimum wage workers, seniors, disabled, or veterans living on fixed incomes.
Campaign co-chair and Executive Director of Open Doors Kalamazoo Stephanie Hoffman adds that early this year they estimated that there were about 700 homeless people in Kalamazoo County, but she says that number has grown substantially because of the coronavirus pandemic, and it may grow even more as the courts begin enforcing eviction orders.
Stephanie Hoffman (Photo courtesy of John McNeill)
“2020 has been so hard for so many,” Hoffman said, “But many people in our community were struggling to find safe and stable homes long before COVID-19 came around. This crisis has been building for years.”
Co-chair and Portage City Councilman Chris Burns says if approved, the millage would help put a roof over the heads of everyone who needs one.
Chris Burns (Photo courtesy of John McNeill)
“Homelessness is NOT just a city of Kalamazoo issue. Working families in Portage, Comstock, Vicksburg, Oshtemo and other communities in our county need more affordable housing options,” Burns explained.
In a written statement, Chair of the Kalamazoo County Public Housing Commission David Artley said, “We asked the County Board to put this question on the ballot because Kalamazoo County is experiencing a crisis. The millage we passed in 2015 will provide homes for more than 500 families with children before funding runs out after next year, but we need to renew that funding, and raise additional funds for the 700-plus homeless individuals currently living in Kalamazoo County.”
The specific ballot language of the proposal reads:
“For the purposes of funding housing programs in Kalamazoo County, shall the constitutional limitation upon the total amount of taxes which may be assessed in one (1) year upon all property within the County of Kalamazoo, Michigan, be increased in an amount up to but not to exceed 0.75 mills ($0.75 on each $1,000 of taxable value) for a period of eight (8) years (2021-2028 inclusive), to provide rental subsidies, permanent housing and related supportive services for residents of Kalamazoo County? if approved and levied in full, this millage would raise an estimated $6,375,000.00 in the first calendar year of its levy based on taxable value.”
The sample ballot can be found at michigan.gov/vote.
More information about the millage campaign can be found at kzoo4housing.com or at facebook.com/kzoohomes4all.
Comments