Editor’s note: Since January 2020, the United Way of the Battle Creek and Kalamazoo Region has led the Kalamazoo County Continuum of Care (CoC); its vision is for all Kalamazoo County residents to live in safe, healthy, affordable homes in a thriving community.

Kalamazoo County, like many communities across the country, has experienced homeless encampments for many years, though there has been variability in the locations, sizes, and durations. Individuals living in encampments are experiencing unsheltered homelessness, which carries unique and serious risks, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic and Michigan’s winter months. In recent months, encampments across the County have ballooned; current estimates of those living in known encampments is as high as 150 individuals.

The Center for Disease Control (CDC) advises communities not to clear encampments during community spread of COVID-19 “unless they have real-time access to individual rooms or units for ALL households in the encampment and a clear plan to safely transport those households. Clearing encampments without these measures in place causes people to disperse throughout the community and break connections with service providers, increasing the potential for infectious disease spread.”

Across the last several months, in light of this guidance, local service providers, public health officials, and City and County staff have convened to develop and implement these responsive strategies:

• As of December 2020, an additional temporary day shelter operated by Integrated Services of Kalamazoo (ISK) has been opened at The River Church to ensure safe and ample space for anyone seeking respite. This site is open Monday through Friday, and lunch is provided.
• City of Kalamazoo has worked to improve conditions at two large encampment sites through the coordination of weekly trash service, provision of ground cover materials, and periodic clean-ups.
• The Continuum of Care, with support from the City of Kalamazoo and the Foundation for Excellence, provided funding for Lantern House, a new program operated by Integrated Services of Kalamazoo that provides low- barrier housing for up to 12 individuals at a time.
• The City of Kalamazoo, Foundation for Excellence, and additional local foundations supported the purchase of the Knights Inn motel site by the LIFT Foundation to be used for temporary winter shelter for those currently in encampments.
• On 1/27/21, Kalamazoo County Health & Community Services conducted a COVID-19 Vaccination event at Kalamazoo Gospel Ministries; 180+ vaccines were provided to day and night shelter residents and frontline staff. Planning for additional events is underway.

These strategies complement the following ongoing activities:

Outreach

• Integrated Services of Kalamazoo, Catholic Charities Diocese of Kalamazoo, HOPE Thru Navigation and Urban Alliance have trained staff/volunteers who conduct outreach, including regular visits to encampment sites across the County to link individuals to services and supports.
• The Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety (KDPS) announced on 1/14/2021 its partnership with Integrated Services of Kalamazoo (ISK) to provide more resources to Kalamazoo residents seeking recovery from substance use disorders. Under the new partnership, KDPS will refer people to the Recovery Outreach program made possible through ISK’s Opioid Overdose Response Program (OORP).

Day Shelter Facilities

• Ministry with Community continues to provide day shelter and support services, including showers, laundry, and breakfast and lunch 7 days a week.

Emergency Shelter Facilities

• Open Doors, YWCA, ISK, Catholic Charities Diocese of Kalamazoo (The Ark), and Kalamazoo Gospel Ministries continue to provide ongoing emergency shelter.
• As of 1/28/2021 our largest emergency shelter, Kalamazoo Gospel Ministries, has the capacity to safely provide overnight shelter to more women and families.

Testing, Personal Protective Equipment & Emergency Supplies

• Service providers continue to utilize temperature and symptom check protocols and provide masks and personal protective equipment to staff and residents.
• COVID-19 testing by Kalamazoo County Health & Community Services continues to be available on demand for symptomatic staff and residents of our community’s day and overnight shelters.
• Warming supplies, basic first aid supplies, and qualifying housing fee assistance for eligible individuals are available through the Community Action Agency of South Central Michigan.

Isolation & Quarantine

• Isolation & Quarantine rooms continue to be available for individuals experiencing homelessness who test positive for COVID-19 or who are awaiting testing, test results, or who were exposed to COVID-19. Kalamazoo County Health & Community Services is the referral point for the site.

Ongoing and Future Efforts to Provide Temporary and Permanent Housing

• Housing Resources, Inc., Integrated Services of Kalamazoo, Open Doors Kalamazoo and Catholic Charities Diocese of Kalamazoo continue to provide services to prevent homelessness, short term rental assistance and permanent supportive housing for eligible individuals and families.
• Keystone Veteran Transitional House opened in 2020 and is providing transitional housing to veterans (12 beds).
• US Department of Treasury announced the COVID-19 Emergency Rental and Utility Assistance Program which, when launched in the coming months, will help renters avoid eviction and utility shutoff thus preventing homelessness.
• The Kalamazoo County Voters passed the “Housing for All” millage and planning is currently underway to provide for permanent housing and related supportive services. The millage will be levied December 1, 2021 and will generate approximately $6,375,000 in annual funding.
• Various housing projects are underway (in various stages of pre-development and construction): The Creamery on the Corner of Portage and Lake, Attainable Homes Project with Kalamazoo Neighborhood Housing Services, Local Initiatives Support Corporation, City of Kalamazoo and Foundation For Excellence, 508 Harrison-River’s Edge, 530 N. Rose Street Senior Housing, 525 Ransom Harrison Circle, Hawthorne Park, and the Tiny Houses of HOPE Project. Many additional units are being provided through the Foundation for Excellence’s Housing for All gap loan fund as developers include affordable units in their projects. These projects could provide more than 500 affordable housing units if funding is secured through State and local sources.

Ending homelessness in our community will take many hands. We invite you to be a part of the solution.

• The CoC regularly convenes various meeting and work groups. Contact CoC@uwbckr.org to learn more and get connected.
• To support the efforts of the Continuum of Care, consider making a financial gift at https://tinyurl.com/SupportKzooCoC. Funds raised will be granted to direct service providers addressing critical needs now and year-round.

If you or someone you know is experiencing homelessness or housing instability, dial 2-1-1 or visit https://gryphon.org/i-need-help/ for housing resources and referrals.

Questions about the Kalamazoo County Continuum of Care can be directed to Sara Jacobs, CoC Director, at sjacobs@uwbckr.org.