The Kalamazoo County Continuum of Care (CoC) supports the development and implementation of community wide plans to deliver housing services and supports for individuals and families experiencing homelessness.

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 175 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, the Kalamazoo County Continuum of Care has convened local service providers, public health officials, and City and County staff to develop and implement these responsive strategies:

• As of December 2, 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 and provision of ground cover materials.
• 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 ISK that provides low-barrier housing for up to 12 individuals at a time.
• The CoC is supporting efforts to purchase a motel site to provide rooms for temporary winter shelter and reduce the size of encampments.

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.

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 provide ongoing emergency shelter.
• As of 12/15/2020 our largest emergency shelter, Kalamazoo Gospel Ministries, has the capacity to safely provide overnight shelter to more men, 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.

Efforts to Provide Temporary and Permanent Housing:

• Housing Resources, Inc., Integrated Services of 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.

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.

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