“You have to listen to them. You have to see them. You have to hear them. It’s not a one size-fits-all system,” says Judge Tiffany Ankley, who, along with other individuals and one organization, was recently honored as a Trailblazer of HOPE, a tribute bestowed on those whose work is instrumental in preserving Drug Treatment Court and recovery-oriented services.
KDPS Sgt. Amil Alwan says Public Safety doesn’t have all the answers to homelessness or how to address those suffering from mental health, substance abuse, and other issues. But officers say, “If we build the connections with the community services providers that we have in this area, we can have a unit that can have a hand-off with those other services to help do long-term solutions to these issues.”
In a move to consolidate housing funding requests for housing, the Kalamazoo County Housing's AmpliFund Portal is seeking to become a one-stop funding source for ARPA and county resources.
As the affordable housing crisis continues, some Kalamazoo organizations are finding new ways to provide downpayment assistance to help first-time home buyers purchase a new home.
Kalamazoo's Neighborhood Activator Jacqueline Slaby is taking her title seriously by activating city current neighborhood plans and seeking to include new neighborhood plans, like Stuart and Westwood.
As 2023 gets underway, Kalamazoo leaders have some hopes and plans for the community and a common vision for housing, safety, and equity.
Milestone Senior Services administers several programs and services to help seniors and the disabled live independently, including home repairs and the installation of safety features. “They really care,” one senior says. “A lot of people might come in and do something. But these people really care.”
A doorbell camera initiative in Kalamazoo's core neighborhoods will benefit 200 households. The program is being funded by the City of Kalamazoo and administered by Building Blocks of Kalamazoo.
How are the unhoused managing to get through inclement weather? Some people are on their own. Some will venture into the shelters when there’s crazy weather. And then some will work together to form whatever community, wherever that can be located.
People aged 60 and older are retiring in huge numbers. They’re more active, live longer, and embrace more innovative ways to live independently than earlier retirees. Revel Creek at the Heritage Community in Kalamazoo was built for them.
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