Housing cooperative selects new leadership

A Kalamazoo organization dedicated to affordable housing through cooperatives has new leadership.

Kalamazoo Collective Housing has hired Matthew Lechel as its new executive director.

Lechel previously served as campaign manager for State Representative Sean McCann, a fundraiser for the Girl Scouts and Director of Outdoor education for the YMCA. He also serves as a board member in a number of volunteer positions.

The nonprofit Kalamazoo Collective Housing is governed by its residents. Six residents and four non-resident community trustees sit on its board of directors. Kalamazoo Collective Housing has two houses in downtown Kalamazoo — the Fletcher Collective, 302 W. Walnute and the Meristem Cooperative, 824 Davis St.

Since 2006 it has been providing rental housing to people with low incomes. Currently, it can accommodate 15 members.

Its goal is to develop a network of cooperative housing in Kalamazoo and at the same time strengthen the community by sharing resources. In cooperation with community development organizations and others, the organization also works on improving downtown neighborhoods.

Lechel says he is looking forward to raising the community’s awareness about the potential of cooperative business in his new position and working with the organization as it goes into a growth period.

“I’m thrilled to be leading such a progressive, collaborative institution in our community,” says Lechel.

Writer: Kathy Jennings
Source: Matthew Lechel, Kalamazoo Collective Housing