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Published on January 22, 2025
Kalamazoo County Moves to Combat Family Homelessness with New 80-Unit Transitional ShelterSource: Google Street View

The Kalamazoo County Board of Commissioners is taking a significant step in addressing the increasing issue of family homelessness in the area. According to an update from WZZM 13, they have finalized plans to repurpose a former Country Inn & Suites into an 80-unit transitional shelter for homeless families, intended to open by mid-2025. This decision comes after a previously considered location fell through due to complications.

With over 1,700 students experiencing homelessness in Kalamazoo County in 2024 — a stark increase from the previous year — the urgency to find both immediate and sustainable solutions has intensified. The chosen facility, located at 1912 E. Kilgore Service Road, offers strategic access to public transportation, with a Metro bus stop directly in front, as noted by WWMT.

In describing the depth of the county's crisis, Kalamazoo County Administrator/Controller Kevin A. Catlin told WOODTV that these numbers are not just statistics — they represent children and families in our community struggling to find stability. Emphasizing the shelter's role in providing more than just immediate relief, he said, "Every child deserves the security of knowing where they will sleep at night, and this shelter will ensure that safety while empowering parents with resources to rebuild their lives."

The project, backed by a $5.2 million budget with contributions from various local government bodies, including Kalamazoo County and the City of Portage, also received $1.2 million in ARPA funds from the City of Kalamazoo. The shelter will be equipped to provide support services such as job training, childcare, and mental health counseling to address the root causes of homelessness and foster long-term independence for its residents. While unveiling the plans, Catlin emphasized the overarching goal of creating transformative change, telling WWMT, "This initiative is about much more than providing a roof over someone’s head." He added, "It’s about stepping away from approaches that only address surface-level symptoms and instead focusing on sustainable, transformative solutions."

Detroit-Real Estate & Development