Business Community Homelessness and Housing Framework Input Session

Over the past several years, community partners, nonprofit organizations, local governments, and philanthropic leaders have worked tirelessly to confront the challenges of the impacts of homelessness across Kalamazoo County. Those efforts, whether in shelter operations, service delivery, affordable housing development, outreach, or policy, have laid the essential groundwork for where we are today.

Now, with community awareness at its peak and philanthropic partners ready to engage in bold ways, we believe this is the business community’s moment to build on that momentum.

Together with the City of Kalamazoo, the County, and host of related service organizations, a draft housing framework has been designed to bring alignment, coordination, and lasting impact across the entire housing continuum, from emergency shelter to affordable homeownership. The framework envisions a resilient housing ecosystem supported by long-term public-private partnerships and grounded in equity, data, and lived experience. The goal is to both provide relief to businesses who have struggled to deal with some of the impacts of today’s current realities, and to ensure every resident in Kalamazoo County has access to a safe, stable, and affordable home.

Real change doesn’t come from top-down approaches, it comes from inclusive, community-informed strategy.

As such, you’re invited to a facilitated business community meeting in partnership with the Southwest Michigan First Chamber to review the draft framework, offer feedback, and shape the next phase of collective action: Thursday, September 11, 8:00 AM - 9:30 AM at The Catalyst Center, inside the Warner Building, 180 E. Water St., Kalamazoo MI 49007.

Please come prepared to share your insights, ask questions, and help us ensure that this effort reflects the wisdom and experience of our valued business community.

Through coordinated leadership, bold investment, and deep cross-sector collaboration, Kalamazoo County aims to build a resilient system that responds to today’s urgent needs while laying the foundation for long-term equity, economic mobility, and neighborhood vitality. This framework centers those most impacted by housing instability and ensures that County resources are deployed strategically and transparently.

This is not about starting over, it’s about building on the extraordinary efforts already underway and unlocking new capacity through greater alignment and targeted investment. Together, we can ensure every resident in Kalamazoo County has access to a safe, stable, and affordable home.

Your perspective and feedback are essential to the success of this effort. We sincerely hope you can join us on September 11th.

Also check out other Meetups in Kalamazoo.