AUDIO: Kalamazoo County joining effort to provide hotel rooms for homeless

KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM.FM) – Kalamazoo County will join the city of Kalamazoo and a local volunteer group that is providing hotel rooms for the homeless as the extremely cold weather persists.

So far the city and the local Continuum of Care have both contributed funding to Kalamazoo Together for the Homeless, which is working with the United Way to locate homeless residents at risk, and put their heads in beds.

Last night county commissioners received a plan to give $22,000 to the effort.

Board chair Jen Strebs applauded the organization for putting the project together.

She says people who want to contribute to their effort can find the group on social media to find out what they need.

Board vice chair John Taylor says the way they are doing it is not only timely and expedient but cost effective.

Last week, 140 people who might have been on the street in extremely low temperatures were instead warm and safe because of the project.

Hotels have higher vacancy rates at this time of the year and they appreciate the business.