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Board green-lights negotiations with Family Promise to operate Landing Place shelter
Summary
Commissioners authorized negotiations with Family Promise to provide residential shelter and housing-focused case management at the Landing Place; Family Promise representative Lisa Cruden addressed the board about the organization’s national network and local plans.
The Kalamazoo County Board of Commissioners on July 1 authorized the county administrator to enter negotiations with Family Promise Incorporated to provide residential shelter services and housing-focused case management at the Landing Place.
The motion was moved by Vice Chair Taylor and supported by Commissioner Wheeler and carried by voice vote. Commissioners praised the partnership as a “tremendous opportunity” and voiced hope that it could serve as a public–private model for the state. Vice Chair Taylor said the arrangement “has potential to be a huge model of a public private partnership that can work throughout the state.”
Lisa Cruden, speaking during public comment on behalf of Family Promise, described the organization as a national network with roughly 200 locations and a longstanding West Michigan affiliate. She said the local affiliate has operated for about 30 years and that Family Promise plans to build a local affiliate to run the Landing Place, collaborate with schools, libraries and other community partners, and offer training and advocacy.
The authorization permits the administrator to negotiate program terms and services; the board will return later to approve any final contracts and funding commitments.
