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Kalamazoo County unveils draft housing framework to guide countywide strategy
Summary
Housing Director Mary Balkema presented a high‑level draft housing framework that would coordinate county, municipal and nonprofit efforts across the full housing continuum; the board endorsed the framework as a starting point and asked staff to return with an implementation plan and metrics.
Mary Balkema, Kalamazoo County housing director, presented a draft housing framework on Nov. 18 she described as “a high level… blueprint for aligning resources, partners, and strategies across a full housing continuum from emergency shelter to affordable homeownership.” The draft frames the county as an anchor that would fund and coordinate services while partnering with nonprofits, the Land Bank and the continuum of care.
Balkema told commissioners the framework is a working document developed through nearly two years of cross‑sector collaboration with the city of Kalamazoo, Portage, United Way, Southwest Michigan First and local nonprofits. She said the county has allocated more than $33,000,000 across four funding rounds from the housing millage, supported about 1,492 housing units (about 74% under construction or occupied) and funded critical home repairs for more than 250 owner‑occupied homes.
Commissioners broadly praised the high‑level approach but pressed staff on next steps and gaps. Commissioner Morales and others said the draft needs clearer commitments and measurable benchmarks for lower‑income households — specifically households at 0–50% of area median income — and wanted explicit racial equity metrics. Staff said the framework intentionally remains high level and that the next phase will be an implementation plan with measurable outcomes, expanded community engagement and asset mapping.
Board members also discussed data systems. Commissioners asked whether the county’s proposed data tool would replace or integrate with HUD‑required HMIS; staff responded the new system would need to feed into HMIS for federal reporting while capturing broader information usable by local partners.
The board signaled support for the concept and asked staff to return with an interlocal agreement and a detailed strategic and implementation plan, including benchmarks and funding alignment. Balkema said the county will return in December with additional materials, including more detail on a proposed housing development authority and local vouchering alternatives that could preserve long‑term affordability.
