Previous Forums
Forums are held once a month as described on our Home page. Videos and slides of previous forums can be found below:
Most Recent Forum First:
6-12-24
Mary Balkema will update us on affordable housing projects funded by the Countywide Housing Millage. She will cover progress on the 2023 projects and plans for the 2024 projects recently approved by the County Board of Commissioners.
5-8-24
This Forum was canceled due to tornados in Kalamazoo County the previous day. There was widespread destruction and power outages.
4-10-24
Sarah Cain will facilitate a panel discussion with local landlords who are a part of housing solutions. Sarah has been working closely with these landlords and believes they exemplify good practices in supporting our unhoused and unstably housed members of our community.
Panel:
• Paula Hopson with Jakobson Management
• Madison Lukeman with Lukeman Group
• Bennett Bellingar with Longhorn properties
• Anna Freund and Lori Freund with Steinagel Management Services
3-13-24
We will watch a YouTube video called “Finland Solved Homelessness: Here's How”. After watching the video Tobi Hanna-Davies will facilitate a discussion with our audience. The YouTube video can be viewed here.
2-14-24
Layla Wallace founder of Layla’s Cool Pops will describe her Sweets4Homeless initiative and how the “Homes for All” 2022 countywide millage helped her open a house for teenagers who have aged out of the foster care system.
1-10-24
Sarah Cain from Kalamazoo Housing Advocates (KHA), will describe how KHA helps people maintain their housing.
12-13-23
Christina Anderson and Sharilyn Parsons from Kalamazoo City Planners talk about ways Kalamazoo is working to increase affordability and equity in our housing.
11-8-23
Mary Balkema will update us on affordable housing projects funded by the 2023 Countywide Housing Millage (year 2 of 8 years). And, if available, she will share the results of the Housing Millage survey.
10-11-23
Tony Gant, leader of the Lansing chapter of Nation Outside, will talk about their Lobby Day in Lansing on October 17 and their Sign-On Letter to support House Bill 4878, the Michigan Fair Chance Access to Housing Act--which seeks to expand housing opportunities for the formerly incarcerated.
9-13-23
Alexia Jones and Jonathan James will talk about The Kalamazoo Promise and describe the challenges of accessing The Promise for people who don't have stable, decent housing.
8-9-23
Dick (Coach) Shilts will tell us about First United Methodist Church’s Phone Ministry which provides underserved families in the Kalamazoo community with cell phones and service.
7-12-23
Katie McPherson will talk about Building Blocks of Kalamazoo and the importance of social capital and collective efficacy in neighborhoods facing challenges associated with poverty and disinvestment.
6-14-23
Chris Shepard will tell us about the Kalamazoo’s Housing Voucher Programs.
6-14-23 Housing Discrimination Bill
5-10-23
Jason Muniz will give a presentation on a joint senior housing project by Mt. Zion Baptist Church and Edison Community Partners/Hollander Development - The Legacy, which is partially funded by our Countywide Millage.
4-12-23
Jamauri Bogan from Bogan Development will talk about his workforce housing project on Frank Street. This project is partially funded by our Countywide Housing Millage.
3-8-23
Four speakers (below) from Integrated Services of Kalamazoo (ISK) will tell us about millage funded wrap-around services they are providing to various low income housing complexes in Kalamazoo. Speakers: Mitch Misiasz, Sophie Bilicki, Louis Parker III and Brandon Woodcox.
2-8-23
Mary Balkema will update us on affordable housing projects funded by the Countywide Housing Millage monies. She will cover the projects approved in 2022 and propose for 2023.
Sorry, to save space the video of this Forum has been removed from the Internet.
To see this video please contact Norman Young at normandyoung@gmail.com
1-11-23
Pat Maye from Fair Housing Center of Southwest Michigan will talk on “Affirmatively furthering fair Housing: Addressing steps to ending homelessness and plans for creating more affordable housing.”
Pat Maye asked that we not video record this forum
12-14-22
Michelle S. Johnson, Jennifer Mills and Mary Crosby will talk about the Home Start Initiative, a collaborative housing project funded by Kalamazoo County’s millage.
Sorry, to save space the video of this Forum has been removed from the Internet.
To see this video please contact Norman Young at normandyoung@gmail.com
11-9-22
Jessica Glynn and Terri Sieplinga from YWCA Kalamazoo will address “Meeting the Housing Needs of Human Trafficking Survivors.”
Sorry, to save space the video of this Forum has been removed from the Internet.
To see this video please contact Norman Young at normandyoung@gmail.com
10-12-22
Sarah Cain, Roosevelt Lee Fleming and Sarah Stoll from Kalamazoo Housing Advocates (KHA), will describe how KHA helps people maintain their housing.
Sorry, to save space the video of this Forum has been removed from the Internet.
To see this video please contact Norman Young at normandyoung@gmail.com
9-14-22
Chris Praedel will tell us how Community Homeworks supports and preserves existing homeownership and affordable housing through their critical repair and education programs.
Sorry, to save space the video of this Forum has been removed from the Internet.
To see this video please contact Norman Young at normandyoung@gmail.com
8-10-22
Michelle A. Davis and Stephanie Hoffman from Housing Resources will tell us about “A Kzoo POD Community: A Place of Dignity”
Sorry, to save space the video of this Forum has been removed from the Internet.
To see this video please contact Norman Young at normandyoung@gmail.com
7-13-22
Melody Woods, Marla MeMae and SaConna Johnson will introduce us to the Kalamazoo County Defender Inc. (KCDI) and its village initiative. They will describe how KCDI functions and the impact the lack of affordable housing has on crime, criminal defendants and our most vulnerable neighbors.
Sorry, to save space the video of this Forum has been removed from the Internet.
To see this video please contact Norman Young at normandyoung@gmail.com
6-8-22
Mary Balkema (via Tobi Hanna-Davies) will update us on new categories of affordable housing projects recently approved for the affordable housing projects using the new Countywide Housing Millage monies. Also, Emily Petz will present findings from countywide housing survey.
Sorry, to save space the video of this Forum has been removed from the Internet.
To see this video please contact Norman Young at normandyoung@gmail.com
5-11-22
David Anderson and Lisa Willcutt will talk about the remodeling of LodgeHouse and other housing issues.
Sorry, to save space the video of this Forum has been removed from the Internet.
To see this video please contact Norman Young at normandyoung@gmail.com
4-13-22
Tracy Pease will present on the One Fair Wage campaign and how a fair wage impacts a person's ability to secure and sustain affordable housing.
Sorry, to save space the video of this Forum has been removed from the Internet.
To see this video please contact Norman Young at normandyoung@gmail.com
3-9-22
Mary Balkema and Commissioner Tami Rey will announce the affordable housing projects recommended for funding in 2022 using the new Countywide Housing Millage monies. This recommendation will be presented to the Kalamazoo County Board of Commissioners on March 15th for their approval.
Sorry, to save space the video of this Forum has been removed from the Internet.
To see this video please contact Norman Young at normandyoung@gmail.com
2-9-22
Matt Milcarek from Kalamazoo Neighborhood Housing Services, Inc. (KNHS) will present on Kalamazoo Attainable Homes Partnership.
Sorry, to save space the video of this Forum has been removed from the Internet.
To see this video please contact Norman Young at normandyoung@gmail.com
1-12-22
Carrie Bosch and Pamela Dickinson from Continuum of Care (CoC) will talk about RentAble, a program launched in 2021 to support landlords and tenants under the Housing Equity Ordinance requirements.
Sorry, to save space the video of this Forum has been removed from the Internet.
To see this video please contact Norman Young at normandyoung@gmail.com
12-8-21
We will have Personal Stories of Experiencing Homelessness in Kalamazoo. A panel of formally homeless people will share their experiences of being homeless and their wisdom for helping the homeless in our community.
Panel:
· Janice Jagars was homeless for two years, but is no longer homeless as of October 1, 2021 because of a Section 8 voucher.
· Tony Lett lived at the Baymont Inn during the Hotel Intervention Project and was in charge of the meals for several months at the Inn.
· Brad Kellogg lived at the Ampersee Camp before it was closed. He and Tony Lett will both share what steps they think should be taken to alleviate the homeless situation
· Liberty Williams formally homeless
Sorry, to save space the video of this Forum has been removed from the Internet.
To see this video please contact Norman Young at normandyoung@gmail.com
11-10-21
We will have an in-person tour of the Harrison Circle Apartments led by Jon Durham and Garrett Seybert.
Sorry, this was an in-person Forum and no video was recorded.
10-13-21
We will have a virtual tour, via Zoom, of the Creamery Apartments led by Matt Hollander. Due to COVID we decided not to have an in-person tour. Instead, Kaleb Beiter will use a camera, on Zoom, to “film” the tour in real time.
Sorry, to save space the video of this Forum has been removed from the Internet.
To see this video please contact Norman Young at normandyoung@gmail.com
9-8-21
Joi Presberry, Terra Bautista, Rochelle Habeck and Kathleen Baker from Cradle Kalamazoo will explore the intersection of housing and infant mortality, especially among communities of color, and highlight interventions lifted by the Frontline team as possible solutions. Please see Infant Mortality and Disparity Maps for more information.
Sorry, to save space the video of this Forum has been removed from the Internet.
To see this video please contact Norman Young at normandyoung@gmail.com
8-11-21
Understanding the world and business challenges of local landlords
Private, for-profit local landlords speak about running their business, tenants, challenges and what makes for success from their perspective.
Panel:
· Bhaskar Pisipati - Owner / President of Country Management Properties
· Rick Schmitt - Property Owner / Former Landlord / Community Volunteer
· Lenora Burnett Williams - Property Owner / Investor
Sorry, to save space the video of this Forum has been removed from the Internet.
To see this video please contact Norman Young at normandyoung@gmail.com
7-14-21
Alyssa Stewart, from United Way, will talk about the 2021 ALICE report and then lead a panel to discuss how support organizations are providing services for ALICE households.
Panel: Stephanie Bourne, Apryl Munyanshongore, Sarah E. Hutchison-Chee and Jessica Mancino
Sorry, to save space the video of this Forum has been removed from the Internet.
To see this video please contact Norman Young at normandyoung@gmail.com
6/9/21
County Commission Chair Tracy Hall, Vice Chair Tami Rey and Housing Director Mary Balkema will talk about “Equity in the Plans for the Kalamazoo County Housing Millage”.
Sorry, to save space the video of this Forum has been removed from the Internet.
To see this video please contact Norman Young at normandyoung@gmail.com
5-12-21
Jacob Beach, from HRI, will talk about the Covid Emergency Rental Assistance (CERA) program.
Sorry, to save space the video of this Forum has been removed from the Internet.
To see this video please contact Norman Young at normandyoung@gmail.com
4-14-21
Stephanie Hoffman, Gwendolyn Hooker and Jason Knight will talk about the Hotel Intervention Project
Sorry, to save space the video of this Forum has been removed from the Internet.
To see this video please contact Norman Young at normandyoung@gmail.com
3-10-21
“Outreach to People who are Unhoused”
People who are reaching out to Kalamazoo’s homeless encampments will share their stories.
Speakers: Brandi Bonner, Tammie Natho, Katie Sexton and Dick Shilts
Sorry, to save space the video of this Forum has been removed from the Internet.
To see this video please contact Norman Young at normandyoung@gmail.com
2-10-21
David Anderson, from the LIFT Foundation, will talk about the remodeling of the Knights Inn for affordable housing. He will also review the many housing activities of the LIFT Foundation.
Note: this video is an excellent overview of laws governing affordable housing development.
Sorry, to save space the video of this Forum has been removed from the Internet.
To see this video please contact Norman Young at normandyoung@gmail.com
1-13-21
Sara Jacobs, from Continuum of Care, will talk about what area agencies are doing to house homeless individuals and families during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Sorry, to save space the video of this Forum has been removed from the Internet.
To see this video please contact Norman Young at normandyoung@gmail.com
12-9-20
Tracy Hall and David Artley will talk about the recently passed Housing Millage and “What’s Next” for the millage.
Sorry, to save space the video of this Forum has been removed from the Internet.
To see this video please contact Norman Young at normandyoung@gmail.com
11-11-20
Sara Jacobs from Kalamazoo County Continuum of Care (CoC) will talk about their new pilot programs: RentAble, and Low Barrier Shelter.
Sorry, to save space the video of this Forum has been removed from the Internet.
To see this video please contact Norman Young at normandyoung@gmail.com
Sorry, our other Housing Matters Forums were not recorded.