KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — If you want to give Kalamazoo city officials and The Federal Government a piece of your mind on the current Housing crisis, City Hall is asking for your input.
On Monday, March 13, the City of Kalamazoo opened a 30-day comment period on the plan they will send to Housing and Urban Development on their strategy to spend $2.2-million of HUD money over the next year.
The city prepares a consolidated plan every five years which identifies community needs. Kalamazoo City Mayor Dave Anderson says the federal agency requires the annual plan as part of the application.
The plan outlines specific activities that will be funded in these areas like youth programs, critical home repairs, roof replacement, accessibility repairs, and crime awareness and prevention, among other investments.
Commissioner Quianna Decker has read it and says it has eye-opening data on just how acute the local housing problem is.
The anticipated total funding outlined in this PY2023 Draft Action Plan is $2,168,315 though Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME entitlement grants.
The City will also use approximately $47,000 in anticipated program income, bringing the total available budget to $2,215,315.
So far in the 2019-2024 Consolidated Plan period, 358 homes have been rehabilitated, 15 homes have been remediated of lead-based paint, 908 people experiencing homelessness received supportive services, and 19 blighted buildings were demolished, among other activities.
You can read the action plan and make written comments at the City’s website. The Deadline is April 12th.
Comments can be provided by email to cpedcompliance@kalamazoocity.org, by phone to (269) 337-8210, or by mail to the City’s Community Planning and Economic Development Office, 245 N. Rose Street Suite 100, Kalamazoo, MI 49007.
The action plan can be read here: www.kalamazoocity.org/files/assets/public/plans-amp-reports/community-development/action-plan/
John McNeill contributed to this report
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