KALAMAZOO COUNTY, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — The Kalamazoo County Board of Commissioners and Administrator Tracie Moored tonight responded to discussions surrounding the county’s efforts to help residents experiencing homelessness.
During a virtual meeting, Commissioners discussed the matter at length about ongoing efforts to curb homelessness in the community. Board members said there had been much correspondence from community members on the subject.
Kalamazoo County Board Chair Tracy Hall said that one of those efforts made was an attempt to purchase the former Lakeside Academy building, but the purchase had ultimately gone to a different bidder.
“To all of the residents who have spoken out on social media or contacted me directly about how we are helping Kalamazoo’s homeless population, I want you to know I — and my fellow commissioners — hear you loud and clear,” Board Chair Hall said. “Kalamazoo County has been working for months on a long-term permanent solution to help residents experiencing homelessness, but unfortunately our efforts to purchase the former Lakeside Academy were unsuccessful.”
Administrator Tracie Moored and other county leaders had spent the last several months in discussion with the Lakeside for Children Board to purchase the site to serve the county’s homeless population.
Officials said that the county’s plan, which was presented to the Lakeside Board multiple times, called for providing mental health services as well as short- and long-term housing, along with job training options.
The bid had gone to a local developer, rather than the board.
“Our vision for the former Lakeside Academy was to create an all-encompassing complete program and a results-driven approach to support individuals and families in Kalamazoo County who are experiencing homelessness,” Moored said. “We are disappointed the Lakeside Board did not accept our offer last month. If they had, we would be having a completely different conversation about our homeless population and those living in encampments in Kalamazoo.”
Concerns of homeless encampment safety have been elevated recently after two different incidents of fires caused by propane explosions.
Hall says efforts to curb homelessness will continue.
“Despite this setback, we remain committed to finding lasting solutions that create long-term housing and wraparound services to help Kalamazoo’s unhoused population get the care they need, and we will continue searching for the right property to make this a reality,” Hall said. “Until then, we encourage residents who want to do their part to donate to United Way, who are on the frontlines providing warm meals, blankets and care to Kalamazoo County’s homeless.”
Officials add that the number of people and families experiencing homelessness in Kalamazoo has grown exponentially since 2019, and this challenge has been exacerbated by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, the pandemic has reduced capacity at shelters throughout the city.
Currently, the United Way of the Battle Creek and Kalamazoo Region estimates at least 175 people are living in encampments, a 25% increase from fall 2020.
In addition, officials say hundreds of people throughout Kalamazoo and Kalamazoo County are currently homeless, relying on shelters or encampments to stay warm and dry.
In a related matter, the Board of Commissioners has invited the public to participate in a virtual housing forum, which would be meant to discuss the “Homes for All” millage. That millage was approved by voters in November.
More information on that forum can be found here.
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