KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) – The annual census of Kalamazoo’s homeless population had been scheduled for last month but had to be delayed because of the intense cold.
It’s now been rescheduled.
The Point in Time Count is mandated by the federal government and critical to helping the community obtain funding for services for the homeless.
The head count is now set for this Thursday evening, February 5th.
Mayor Dave Anderson says anyone in the county who knows where an encampment is located should contact Integrated Services of Kalamazoo, so they can make sure they are counted too.
“Remember to look in this spot you know behind the Meijer, someplace out on Gull Road, and this is not just the city of Kalamazoo,” says Anderson. “This is countywide, so any information like that will help.”
Last night, the mayor thanked the many organizations who have pitched in over the last two weeks to make sure shelters were available, and that the homeless were able to access them.
“There are many many people who would not have been housed if it weren’t for that option to go to a hotel room.”
Groups like the Gospel Mission and Ministry with Community and the Heads in Beds program.
Organizations like Hope thru Navigation, and the Democratic Party opened new shelters and Anderson says the Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety and Metro Transit also took action.
“Metro Transit stepped up, provided I think close to 1000 rides now, free rides, here in town for people who needed to get the warming shelters.”
He says thanks to those groups and individual volunteers, no one died and many hundreds had a warm place to avoid the brutal cold.
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