County approves purchase of 1912 East Kilgore Road in Portage for transitional family housing, 7–1

The Kalamazoo County Board of Commissioners approved a purchase agreement with Kalamazoo Twins Hospitality Group to buy 1912 East Kilgore Road in Portage (zip code given in the motion) for use as transitional family housing. Commissioner Morales moved the purchase motion and Commissioner Wheeler supported it; the board approved the purchase by roll call, seven votes in favor, one opposed (Commissioner De Lue).

"This is a step. This is not a permanent solution," Vice Chair Taylor said after the vote, urging the board and community to view the transaction as one immediate response within a larger strategy to help people find stable homes.

Administrator Caitlin, earlier in the meeting, framed the vote as part of a larger county effort to expand housing and reduce unsheltered homelessness: "We just helped 80 families have a bed that they could sleep in," she said, noting the county’s broader commitment to housing first and wraparound services.

Motion details recorded in the transcript show the motion language: "the proposed purchase agreement with Kalamazoo Twins Hospitality Group for the purchase of real property, commonly known as 1912 East Kilgore Road, Portage, Michigan 49002 to be used as a transitional family housing be approved, and that the chair is authorized to execute the agreement on behalf of the Board of Commissioners." The clerk recorded the roll call: seven yes votes, one no; the motion carried.

The purchase is intended to provide transitional housing capacity while the county and community partners develop longer‑term housing strategies. The board discussion emphasized that the purchase is an immediate step to address urgent housing needs and not the sole long‑term solution.

The county did not provide additional public details at the meeting on the purchase price, closing date, or precise program model for the site; the motion authorized the chair to sign the contract on the county’s behalf and staff indicated follow‑up reporting would come through the housing department and administration.