KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) – With wind chills dipping below zero following the freezing death of a homeless woman in Kalamazoo, homeless advocates demanded the city commission take bold action now, to get people out of the cold.
Tammy Christie was found dead sheltering the back seat of an SUV early this month.
17 speakers urged commissioners to do something at last night’s meeting, many calling for a barrier free 24/7 shelter.
They were joined by commissioner Stephanie Hoffman, who made a similar plea to her colleagues.
The commission has already put $500,000 into this year’s budget for such projects. Some of that money is currently funding the rental of hotel rooms for use by the homeless.
Millions contributed by the city, Kalamazoo County and the city of Portage have also been committed to converting a motel on Cork Street into a transitional shelter for homeless families, but that won’t be ready for months.
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