KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) – With the cold weather upon us, the City of Kalamazoo commissioners have approved a temporary emergency measure to provide shelters for the homeless who prefer not to be housed.
They are largely the former occupants of illegal campsites that the city was forced to close this fall because of ongoing problems.
The Emergency Ordinance approved last night will grease the way for local faith based and housing groups to set up temporary pods in supervised settings near existing bathrooms and public services.
But just the rumor that a “pod city” might be located in the Edison Neighborhood sparked protests from homeowners there.
The ordinance will be in effect for two years. By then City Planner Rebekah Kik hopes they will have come up with a more permanent solution.
Mayor Dave Anderson warned the commission that providing structured supervised settings for those who don’t want to follow shelter rules may not be a perfect solution.
City staff estimate a permit could be approved in as little as two to three weeks once they receive applications. Before a permit would be issued, neighbors would get a chance to be heard on the proposal.
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