AUDIO: Housing choice voucher program not releasing new vouchers | WKZO | Everything Kalamazoo

KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) – The situation for the hundreds who are living on the streets in Kalamazoo, and those trying to avoid it, is about to get a little worse, especially those who choose not to use shelters.

Due to a shortage of funds, the housing choice voucher program will not release any new vouchers. There are currently more than 450 on a local waiting list for the housing subsidies. The 863 families currently signed up won’t be impacted, according to the Kalamazoo Continuum of Care.

Mayor Dave Anderson says a voucher preference program targeting the homeless is also being slowly downsized, even though no new applications had been accepted for nearly a year anyway.

He says it was a useful tool to help engage with houseless individuals who might also need other assistance, like mental health or medical services.

The money comes from the federal government, it’s managed by the state of Michigan, and locally it’s distributed by the United Way.

The Continuum of Care is currently working with local partners and local governments to find alternatives for the hundreds impacted by the decision, issued this month.

The decision from Lansing does not affect the project-based voucher program, Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing program, or the stability voucher program.