KALAMAZOO, Mich. (WOOD) — The Kalamazoo City Commission has approved financial support for multiple affordable housing projects.
First, the city says Odyssey Hotels intends to convert the former Residence Inn at 1500 E Kilgore Rd. into an affordable housing development. “Kilgore Apartments” will include 40 affordable units. At an October meeting, city commissioners approved a tax program for affordable housing developments known as Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILOT), as well as a $400,000 loan for construction.
Next, a 19-unit affordable housing community for vulnerable populations is planned for 3405 Duke St., according to the city of Kalamazoo. The city says commissioners have approved a PILOT resolution for the project, which will be called Kalamazoo Community Courtyard, and allocated $700,000 in American Rescue Plan Act funding for support services and vocational programs.
At 333 E Alcott St., 46 permanent supportive housing units are planned for people recovering from opiate and methamphetamine addiction, the city of Kalamazoo says. The city commission has approved a $700,000 ARPA subgrant for construction, as well as a PILOT resolution.
Finally, according to the city, 70 units in the area of E Frank Street and N Burdick Street have been proposed. The goal of The Legacy: Senior Housing is to provide housing for low- and moderate-income seniors. Commissioners on Tuesday approved two PILOT resolutions for the project.
These steps come as West Michigan, alongside many other parts of the state, deals with a housing crisis. Kalamazoo County needs to add about 7,750 new units by 2030, according to the 2022 Kalamazoo County Housing Plan.