Note: During the month of February, United Way is mobilizing to raise dollars for initiatives and programs that address homelessness and housing insecurity. By making a gift today, you can make a difference—right in the community where you live.
KALAMAZOO—On a single, cold January night last year, at least 664 people in Kalamazoo County had no place to call home. Some 157 of them were children.
According to Patrese Griffin, Director of the Kalamazoo Continuum of Care (CoC), the annual point-in-time (PIT) survey of people who are unhoused hit the highest number since before the pandemic.
“The spiraling cost of housing, the inability of wages to keep up and the end of pandemic relief funds are just some of the reasons why homelessness is on the rise,” said Griffin.
The Kalamazoo County CoC, under the leadership of United Way of South Central Michigan, manages grant programs from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to address homelessness while working with local organizations helping people find safe, stable, affordable housing. The PIT count is one of those efforts—among many partner-driven ways UWSCMI and the community strive to understand and address housing needs in Kalamazoo County.
Griffin pointed out that financial instability often leads to homelessness. “Not only people in poverty, but those who are ALICE—Asset Limited, Income Constrained and Employed—can be just one small expense away from losing their home,” she said.
In Kalamazoo County, 28% of households live below the ALICE Threshold, which is the income level needed to be financially stable.
To better understand the challenge of homelessness beyond PIT counts and ALICE stats, the CoC recently hired eight community members as consultants to help staff recognize gaps and challenges in the system, and to help develop better approaches.
“As someone who experienced homelessness for three years and saw other people experience homelessness during Covid and other crucial times, helping anyone in need is like the best thing,” said Anastasia Minott, one of the new consultants. “I love how we get to discuss different topics to address the homeless crisis, and hopefully will see an outcome to it, too.”
Griffin also pointed to RentAble, a program managed by UWSCMI and the CoC. RentAble provided one-time financial aid to help low-income renters with security deposits, rent increases and other related expenses.
“We had so many applications that we’ve had to put the program on pause,” said Griffin. “That tells you the magnitude of the need.”
Beyond these efforts, UWSCMI funds 10 programs through Kalamazoo County partners addressing many aspects of homelessness, including domestic and sexual violence, evictions, shelter availability, home repairs and rehabilitation, tiny homes, transitional foster homes for LGBTQ+ youth, and strong neighborhoods.
UWSCMI also helps invest federal dollars each year through the Emergency Food and Shelter National Board Program, administered by the Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency. In 2024, UWSCMI distributed $115,136 to eight programs in Kalamazoo County focused on housing, food and utility aid.
United Way of South Central Michigan is investing, convening, advocating and collaborating on solutions so families can reach the goal of an affordable, safe, stable home and homeownership. By making a gift today, you can make a difference—right in the community where you live.
