KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) – The Kalamazoo County Board of Commissioners has allocated the money for this year’s affordable housing projects. And that funding came from a voter approved millage.
$2-million will be spent to aid in the development of multi-family projects, including a 228-unit facility along the Kalamazoo River. $2.2-million will be spent to develop single family homes in Kalamazoo and Portage. And just over a million will be spent rehabbing homes all over the county.
Half a million will be spent on transitional housing for the victims of trafficking and abuse at a 19 unit facility on Duke Street that is already taking in women. Terri Sieplinga is a case worker at the YWCA who works with victims.
Kalamazoo County Housing Director Mary Balkema says they really depend on developers and agencies to do the projects, and that funding from the millage is just a part of the financing.
Officials from Kalamazoo and Portage, local builders and housing agencies all thanked the board for their financial support.
County Commissioner Jen Strebs thanked the voters who she said made the millage possible.
But not all the money raised by the millage has been allocated, as Balkema opened a second opportunity for builders to submit bids, which are being reviewed.
reporting from John McNeill
