Coverage of low-income and affordable housing solutions, housing developments, and resources for the unhoused.
Through city and federal grants, and cost-saving measures, a local landlord keeps rent low, provides housing security, and hopes to make a small dent in Kalamazoo's housing crisis. Jake Tardani's been called a landlord with a mission.
When it comes to home buying a lot of people have no idea how to get started. To help change that, Kalamazoo Realtor Twala Lockett-Jones has authored a book that provides the steps necessary to buy a house in very simple terms. "I wanted to find a way to educate people at a younger age, especially people of color, about home ownership and the importance of home ownership," she says.
At one point, in a one-bedroom apartment on Vine Street Kathy White had seven kids living in that one-bedroom apartment. Her family members had nowhere else to live and so she took the in. Many local residents double-up because the housing market makes it hard to find affordable housing.
Kalamazoo Collective Housing will open two new houses in the fall and is currently accepting applications.
Advocacy for fair housing policies and personal experience with homelessness will serve Patrese Griffin well in new role as head of Kalamazoo County Continuum of Care.
Like most communities, Kalamazoo has struggled for decades with homelessness. There are an array of government and nonprofit agencies and services focused on the problem. But they are not alone. Some members of the area’s faith community are also deeply involved. They include the First United Methodist Church in downtown Kalamazoo.
LISC-Kalamazoo will be the conduit for hundreds of thousands of dollars in funding through the U.S Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Section 4 Program. “HUD Section 4 is a specific pool of money to increase nonprofits’ capacity to do their work in specific areas,” says Beth Romeo, the assistant program officer at LISC Kalamazoo.
For some people being able to obtain a housing voucher can make the difference between staying in a homeless shelter and finding a safe and affordable place to live. Here's how it is working in Battle Creek.
A panel discussion on Environmental Justice and Housing Stock in Kalamazoo County: Location, Equity of Cost, Energy Efficiency, Support Services, with community housing advocates was recently hosted by the League of Women Voters. Second Wave's Mark Wedel was there.
The new leader of Kalamazoo County’s Land Bank is coming aboard as the program faces new challenges – and an urgent demand for more affordable housing. Sid Ellis joined the anti-blight initiative as CEO earlier this month, continuing a high-profile career in community service and the arts. Ellis says he’s excited by the opportunities his new position offers though there is uncertainty over how to maintain the program’s funding sustainably.
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