The Kalamazoo County Continuum of Care received $1,714,409 from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to support local programs to help people experiencing homelessness.

The grant is part of $2.5 billion in renewed support to thousands of local homeless assistance programs across the nation. HUD’s Continuum of Care (CoC) grants provide critically needed funds to serve individuals and families, according to Kalamazoo County CoC Director Sara Jacobs.

“The economic effects of the pandemic, from furloughs and layoffs to reduced hours and income, are putting more people at risk of experiencing homelessness,” Jacobs said. “This grant assures crucial funding for our local partners and programs.”

The Kalamazoo County CoC is a partnership of nonprofits and government agencies that work together to tackle homelessness. United Way BCKR leads the effort.

Jacobs said the HUD grant will support programs in eviction diversion, housing stabilization and permanent housing. Partners in those programs include Housing Resources Inc. and Integrated Services of Kalamazoo.

Addressing ongoing, long-term housing needs is just part of the work of the Kalamazoo County CoC. The collaborative is also bringing together diverse agencies and efforts supporting the needs of those in homeless encampments. For a complete rundown of those activities, click here.

The HUD grant for Kalamazoo County is one of 6,597 local programs funded across the country. In Michigan, nearly $82 million in HUD funding went to 272 programs, including $318,853 to the Battle Creek/Calhoun County CoC. Each year, HUD serves more than a million people through emergency shelter, transitional, and permanent housing programs.

Learn more about our work through the CoC on the Kalamazoo County Continuum of Care web page.