KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) – The Kalamazoo County Board of Commissioners Tuesday night formally awarded $3 million to five local developers to begin creating more affordable housing in Kalamazoo County, but officials say there is still more money available for other projects.
Housing Director Mary Balkema says the county’s housing millage will raise about $7 million this year, so the rest of the money will be spent on other ways to increase or improve existing housing stock for lower income residents, as well as reduce homelessness. That will include home repairs, support programs, scattered builds, and other projects.
It’s the first year of what will be at least an 8-year multi-jurisdictional campaign to increase affordable housing. That’s when the millage will expire.
Commissioner Tracy Hall says it’s a great start, with over 600 new units planned in the first two years.
Balkema says for every dollar the county spends on new housing projects this year, it will leverage about 30 additional dollars from developers and state, federal, and other local sources.
(reporting from John McNeill)
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