KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) – Affordable housing continues to be a problem in Kalamazoo, and pressure is once again building now that temperatures have begun to dip.
Public comment at city commission meetings has been dominated by calls for the city to take whatever action they must to solve homelessness & bring down rents.
Mayor Dave Anderson says in the current economy, it’s extremely difficult to finance new construction for anyone making less than 50% of average median income.
Anderson, who has worked on such projects for decades says even if they find a developer willing to finance a project, and make a few units affordable, very low-income renters still need subsidies, which are currently unavailable.
That’s why the local Continuum of Care and its government partners are funding a new emergency shelter, and are working with other private, public and religious agencies to generate affordable housing, because no one entity can tackle it alone, and even then, it can take years.
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