KALAMAZOO, Mich. (WOOD) — Nearly $300,000 is slated to help residents in a mobile home community repair and catch up on rent after a tornado tore homes apart back in May. 

On Tuesday, the Kalamazoo County Board of Commissioners voted to allocate $167,000 from federal American Rescue Plan funds to support the recovery of people living in Pavilion Estates.

David Blodgett is one of those residents still repairing their homes. He was home when the EF2 tornado ripped through his neighborhood. He was about to open the door to walk his dog when the storm’s clouds busted through windows and a back door. 

“It was a disaster zone,” he said. “We had to replace skirting, a couple of windows, some of the metal work, siding, the deck, replace the screens. We are still missing a shed.”

Some of Blodgett’s neighbors have not been as lucky with some homes either getting pulled from their base or shredded by winds.

Months later, warmer weather is giving way to chilly winds with snow starting to cover some homes still damaged by the storm. Blodgett said rebuilding has been expensive and insurance has yet to reimburse him for those costs.

“I’m on a fixed income. And we have to budget real tight,” he said. 

Several residents told News 8 that they have struggled to repair their roofs and replace trailer skirts.

FUNDING THE REBUILD

Officials said 100 homes were left damaged with 90 destroyed. County documents show the expected cost to rehab affected units would total $292K. 

A United Way of South-Central Michigan pending ask is slated to bring $75,000 in addition to $50,000 from Yes! Communities, the parent company of the park. 

South County Community Services was picked to facilitate the funds. 

ACCESSING FUNDS 

The SCCS Executive Director Drew Johnson said his team has been working with Yes! Communities, Kalamazoo Community Foundation and the United Way since the storm. 

“We’re looking to get to once again and get kind of a big chunk of money into Pavilion Estates. So last time we did about $65,000. And this time we’re looking to directly be working with Yes! Communities to get back rent paid and repairs done on houses that still have those outstanding,” he said. 

Johnson said households have been identified by Yes! Communities for back rent and repair needs. He expects his team to meet with those affected in early December.

“We’re going to be meeting with those families to assess their income eligibility because a lot of that funding does have guidelines for income eligibility along with it. And so we’re going to do it. You know, we’ll make it as easy as possible for people, make sure that we’ve got a lot of different options for documents for them to use.”

He said issues from lack of transportation opportunities and uninsured or underinsured homes compounded to the problems the May tornado brought.

As the final preparations are worked on, Blodgett said perseverance has been keeping the community striving to move forward.

“Keep strong, keep your head up,” Blodgett said.