Kalamazoo resident highlights homelessness crisis among students and urges community action

In the heart of Kalamazoo, where the echoes of community voices fill the city hall, residents gathered for the February 3, 2025, Regular Business Meeting, bringing urgent concerns to the forefront. Among them was a weary yet passionate speaker, a 63-year-old resident who shared the struggles of balancing a demanding 60-hour work week with the pressing issues facing the community. “We can do better,” he urged, highlighting the alarming reality of homelessness affecting families and children within Kalamazoo Public Schools.

His words resonated deeply, painting a vivid picture of the challenges many face in the city. “There are a lot of homeless kids in Kalamazoo Public Schools,” he emphasized, a stark reminder of the hidden struggles within the community. The speaker's frustration extended beyond homelessness, as he criticized the state of local libraries, calling for improvements that reflect the needs of the residents.

Following this heartfelt plea, Drew Duncan, another concerned resident, took the floor to discuss the city’s initiatives to combat homelessness. He recounted his recent visit to South Bend, where he engaged with the executive director of "Motels for Now," a program that has garnered support from the city council. With a unanimous vote to expand this initiative, Duncan shared alarming statistics: over 1,800 students in Kalamazoo are currently experiencing housing instability or homelessness.

Duncan highlighted the success of the program, noting that since its inception in 2020, more than 770 individuals have sought help, with over 360 graduating from substance abuse programs. “Seventy-seven percent of those people go on to be stably housed,” he stated, underscoring the effectiveness of the initiative. Yet, he also expressed a deeper concern, stating, “This is not a city that lacks empathy, but we are a city that lacks imagination.”

As the meeting progressed, it became clear that the discussions were not just about statistics but about the lives behind those numbers. The voices of Kalamazoo residents echoed a collective call for action, urging city leaders to envision a future where every child has a home and every resident feels supported. The meeting served as a poignant reminder of the work that lies ahead, as the community grapples with the pressing issues of homelessness and the need for innovative solutions.