KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM.FM) – It’s still not clear when 50 temporary housing pods that have been sitting in a warehouse for two years will be put to use for the homeless in Kalamazoo, but another obstacle has been cleared. The city’s planning staff and Housing Resources Incorporated have come to terms on a rewrite of the city’s Emergency Housing Ordinance extension. A proposal that would have required a 3 year phased rollout with inspections has been cut in half, and HRI director Michelle Davis says they can work with that.
But she says they aren’t ready yet to say where and when they plan to deploy the pods. Commissioners approved it for first reading last night, and will take a final vote in two weeks. Commissioner Chris Preadel was glad they could make this happen.
The city’s Sherrilyn Parsons says they would like to hear from any other agency with a plan for temporary housing for the homeless.
The new ordinance requires any agency with a plan for temporary housing to negotiate a memorandum of understanding first, to make sure the project doesn’t become a nuisance.
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