Kalamazoo County awards $100,000 to Hope Through Navigation for emergency winter sheltering

The Kalamazoo County Board of Commissioners voted to award $100,000 from the county housing millage to Hope Through Navigation to support emergency winter sheltering for families.

Vice Chair Taylor moved that the chair sign an agreement to provide the $100,000 to Hope Through Navigation; Commissioner Wheeler seconded the motion. After discussion and a roll-call vote, the motion carried with six votes in favor, one no (Commissioner Gisler) and the chair abstaining because a family receives services from the recipient organization.

The decision followed public comment and a presentation from Gwendolyn of Hope Through Navigation, who described the organization’s experience in emergency sheltering and proposed using two nearby homes to shelter families. “On the new home, we could serve 12 people or families,” she said, adding the larger home could safely accommodate additional households if outfitted with more beds.

Supporters and board members argued the award would address immediate family needs while the Landing Place — a larger sheltering project expected to provide about 80 family beds — remains in construction. Dusty Morton, a Portage resident speaking during public comment, warned the county’s unhoused population is rising: “Our current unhoused population in Kalamazoo is the highest it’s been since 2011,” he said, and urged transparent use of funds.

Commissioners discussed three options before voting: return the $100,000 to the Continuum of Care (COC) for rebid; fund Kalamazoo Gospel Mission, which said it could add capacity for single adults with a higher ask; or fund a family-centric proposal such as Hope Through Navigation’s. Commissioners who supported the family-focused option cited the specific lack of family shelter while the Landing Place opens in phases.

The board required reporting and receipts as part of the award. Counsel clarified the motion would authorize the chair to sign the agreement and that recipients would be asked to provide documentation of expenditures.

The clerk recorded the roll as follows: six yes, one no (Commissioner Gisler), and one abstention by the chair; the clerk declared the motion carried. The board’s action directs $100,000 of housing millage funds to Hope Through Navigation for emergency winter shelter operations, with board oversight and reporting requirements.

Votes at a glance: the board adopted a Martin Luther King Jr. proclamation by voice vote earlier in the meeting and approved routine items including minutes and the consent agenda by roll call. The $100,000 award was the main substantive funding decision recorded at this session.

Next steps: the chair was authorized to sign an agreement with Hope Through Navigation and staff and counsel will follow up on contract details and reporting cadence.