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Battle Creek adopts 2026 annual action plan after public push for recovery housing
Summary
The City Commission approved the 2026 annual action plan and proposed use of federal CDBG and HOME funds after a public hearing in which multiple residents and peer recovery coaches urged investment in tier‑2 and permanent supportive recovery housing.
The Battle Creek City Commission on June 2 adopted the 2026 annual action plan and approved proposed uses of federal Community Development Block Grant and HOME Investment Partnership funds following a public hearing dominated by residents and peer recovery coaches urging investment in long‑term recovery housing.
Supporters filled the public‑hearing record with personal testimony about substance‑use recovery and housing needs. “Recovery housing changes lives. I know because it has changed mine,” said Jason Milivan, a recovery coach, who described recovery housing as providing stability, accountability and a path to employment. Several other speakers — including house managers and RSU (Recovery Services Unlimited) graduates — gave similar accounts of recovery programs enabling reentry and reducing harm.
Commissioners then approved resolution 407, which adopts the city’s annual action plan and the proposed allocation of federal funds for program year 2026–27. The clerk described the Community Development Block Grant allocation as about $1.17 million and HOME Investment Partnership funds at roughly $238,167. Commissioners thanked speakers and staff for their engagement.
City officials and public commenters highlighted specific priorities supported by the plan, including funding to assist people who are unhoused, investments in permanent supportive housing expected to begin this fall, and minor home‑repair programs that residents said prevent crises. “Permanent supportive housing is really necessary,” said Kathy Antea, who cited a planned project and urged continued investment.
What happened next: the commission recorded its approval of resolution 407 after the hearing closed. The action authorizes staff to implement the plan and allocate the listed federal funds for program year July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027; the resolution text in the meeting packet contains full program details and grant line items.
Next steps: staff will proceed with program administration consistent with the adopted plan and federal program requirements; community members urged ongoing outreach and monitoring to ensure funds reach recovery housing and supportive services.
