KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) – After almost two years of trying to find a location to house homeless individuals in housing pods, the organization spearheading the plan says it is canceling the project and will sell the pods to another community.
Housing Resources Inc., which spent $1 million on 50 ModPod housing units designed to house 66 people, made the announcement Thursday.
HRI spent the last two years trying to identify a site to place the pods. In April, the latest location was announced for 2015 Lake Street, just west of the I-94 Business Loop, and they were hoping to open this winter. Several other sites had previously been considered, but faced opposition by nearby homeowners and businesses.
HRI Executive Director Michelle Davis says, “By bringing the PODs to Kalamazoo, we took a bold, creative step to tackle a serious need in a compassionate way. It was something new and different. At times, that was hard for some folks to grasp. But in the end, our innovative approach sparked new momentum for addressing homelessness.”
Kalamazoo County and the City of Kalamazoo have recently announced a shared effort to establish a shelter for homeless individuals and families. No details have been revealed, but the city has committed $1.2 million while the county is exploring possible locations.
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