The Kalamazoo City Commission approved $450,000 for winter shelter services on October 19, for a season running November through March.
The grant agreement is with United Way of South Central Michigan and the Kalamazoo County Continuum of Care. The money comes from the $500,000 the commission approved in the 2026 budget, through the Foundation for Excellence’s aspirational projects grant, to support unhoused residents, especially in winter and extreme weather.
What the program provides
The Continuum of Care, Kalamazoo County and the City of Kalamazoo released a joint request for proposals in July and selected two providers:
- Ministry with Community ($599,000) will offer day and overnight shelter for 125 single adults, with 25 more spaces when temperatures reach 32 degrees or below.
- Kalamazoo Gospel Ministries ($208,000) will offer 60 overnight spaces and 50 day spaces for single adults.
Housing Resources Inc. will provide shelter coordination with the providers.
Kalamazoo County is contributing $250,000 and the Continuum of Care $100,000. The City of Portage intends to contribute $100,000, and the Continuum of Care is seeking additional support from a local foundation. According to the City Manager’s report, the total program cost is approximately $809,000.
Why this year’s focus is single adults
Since last winter, a year-round shelter for families, The Landing Place, and a permanent medical respite program have been established. This season’s program therefore targets the remaining gaps in winter capacity for single adults during extreme cold and severe weather.
The 2025–2026 effort served 692 households between December 1, 2025, and March 31, 2026. It connected 282 households with shelter, case management and other services, and the City’s funding leveraged $434,838 from Kalamazoo County and the Continuum of Care. This year’s program begins a month earlier.
What residents asked
During public comment, a representative of the First United Methodist Church outreach committee said the congregation plans to help with meals and financial support. A longtime volunteer asked how total funding compares with last year, how many beds were added, whether Metro Transit will offer free rides to warming centers, and how pets will be handled. Chief Operating Officer Laura Lam said staff would confirm the answers and report back to the commission.
The full meeting, including the shelter discussion under item H1, is available to watch on Public Media Network.
