Kalamazoo County has announced that the Board of Commissioners approved a $23.3 million philanthropic investment to launch the “Keys to Kalamazoo” Draft Housing Framework. The funding, committed over three years, aims to reduce housing instability, expand access to shelter and housing, and improve coordination within the county’s housing system.
According to Jen Strebs, Chair of the Board of Commissioners, “This funding helps us support people right now, while giving the County and the community the opportunity to work together on the longer-term solutions needed to strengthen how housing support works in Kalamazoo County. With housing costs rising and resources under pressure, people need clearer paths to support, and this framework helps us start building those paths together.”
The donation comes from an anonymous private donor and will help implement priority initiatives identified through community collaboration. The plan builds on existing partnerships among Kalamazoo County, the City of Kalamazoo, local foundations, service providers, and various housing organizations.
Over the next three years, funding will be directed toward several initiatives. These include a county voucher pilot program; operations and wraparound services at The Landing Place; construction gap funding for The Landing Place; development of a countywide strategic and implementation plan for housing; creation of a data integration system for tracking needs and outcomes; efforts in shelter access coordination and diversion; as well as increasing administrative capacity within the county.
Dr. Kevin A. Catlin, County Administrator/Controller stated: “This investment helps us take the first real steps in implementing the Draft Housing Framework. It doesn’t fund every part of the framework, but it allows us to begin building the coordination, capacity, and systems needed to move the work forward responsibly over time.”
The Draft Housing Framework proposes a phased approach beginning with immediate launch activities focused on stabilization before moving toward long-term implementation. Some initiatives are set to begin immediately with more details and opportunities for public engagement expected as implementation progresses.
