PORTAGE, MI (WKZO AM/FM) – It took some persuading, but the Portage city council has agreed to contribute $100,000 to help shelter the homeless this coming winter.
Chief Development Officer Pete Dame says the number of homeless students attending Portage Public Schools has more than doubled over the last six years, the number of encampments are up, and police contacts with the homeless are also up.
“Clearly it’s not just the city of Kalamazoo problem, it is increasing problem in the city Portage,” says Dame. “The numbers that we were able to document do buttress that.”
Council member Jihan Young still wondered if this was the best way to spend Portage dollars to help the houseless.
“I hear what you’re telling us Mr. Dame. I don’t believe that this is a matter that we don’t want to help but when we receive emails from Portage citizens saying these are Portage tax dollars, how do we ensure that they are helping?”
But council member Nichole Miller says the most effective way to address the problem is to do it countywide.
“The quickest way to get somebody sheltered during those winter months, having Continuum of Care involved I think you know is great because then they can also get those unhoused individuals additional services should they need them.”
Mayor Patricia Randall was convinced, even if other townships and villages in the county have turned down the request for winter shelter funding.
“I can be the parent and say I’m so disappointed in these other townships, but I can also say as an adult, I think we need to lead, and lead by example.”
The city of Kalamazoo has committed up to $500,000 for the winter sheltering program, and Kalamazoo County has set aside $250,000 from the housing millage.
Whether or not the money gets spent will depend partly on just how dangerous the coming winter turns out to be.
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