A Way Home: Housing Solutions

LISC Kalamazoo is looking for area nonprofits that may qualify for community development funds

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.

Vouchers offer critical help to those in B.C. without enough income to afford rapidly rising rent

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.

How environmental justice can factor into the development of affordable housing in Kalamazoo County

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.

New head of the Kalamazoo County Land Bank, Sid Ellis, gets ready for community transformation work

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.

Behind the scenes: A process for developing, improving housing goes into place in Kalamazoo County

What does it take to get to a point where housing projects funded by Kalamazoo County millage dollars can be approved? Here's a quick peek at some of the process needed to get the work done.

Entrepreneur Jamauri Bogan, left, and Margy Belchak, of Kalamazoo Valley Habitat for Humanity, we’re among representatives of housing projects to attend the April 5, 2022 meeting of the Kalamazoo County Board of Commissioners.
Kalamazoo County Board OKs another $2.6 million to build, renovate, support 11 more housing projects

Efforts to provide more needed housing in Kalamazoo County continue as members of the Kalamazoo County Board of Commissioners recently approved a total of $2.6 million in funding to support planned residential projects. When completed the projects approved should add about 115 new housing units, and another 30 existing properties would be rehabilitated.  

Kalamazoo County Treasurer Thomas Whitener says they are working with people to provide them with information that they need to get into the program that can help people avoid foreclosure.
New state program paired with local funds help tax-delinquent homeowners in Kalamazoo County

The Michigan Homeowners Assistance Fund program was created last year to prevent homeowners from losing their homes as a result of mortgage delinquencies the program and was established under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 to mitigate hardships associated with the pandemic. Kalamazoo County Treasurer Thomas Whitener tells how it can work for county residents.

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