KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — After more than a year of efforts the former Knight’s Inn Motel on Westnedge Avenue has been remodeled into 60 permanent and affordable housing units.
It’s been renamed The Lodge, and Lift Foundation President Carole McNees says the one and two person units each have a small kitchenette, a bathroom and a bed, and eligible residents will pay 30% of their income as rent.
“We are prioritizing folks that have a really high need for housing, particularly those that are unhoused that are in the highest need for some affordable housing,” said McNees who reports that some new residents have already moved in.
She says also that residents will have access to support through Integrated Services of Kalamazoo, who will have staff located at the facility.
“We’ll also be able to connect them with other services of course in the community as well, but we really want to make sure that in addition to the housing that we’re also providing the right support for people to be successful in that housing if at all possible,” said McNees who also stressed that while there are some screening criteria, their goal for The Lodge is to be open and diverse as possible.
She says it’s just one of a number of strategies being deployed to reduce the growing gap in affordable housing in the city.
(reporting by John McNeill)
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