KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) – We reported earlier this week just how difficult it is to fund and build affordable housing right now. The Kalamazoo County Commission voted last night to cancel a huge grant to a developer who is building a large complex in Pavilion Township. The Abbey42 development will bring 344 units to the county, and some of them were supposed to be set aside for low income families. But housing director Mary Balkema says they couldn’t come to terms on low income qualifications. The first building at the complex opened last month. Commissioner Jeff Heppler made the motion.
Balkema says that money will be relocated to other developments. She says money from the millage tax isn’t meant for market rate housing, it’s to help low income families. She told the board last night that they are about to embark on the third year of the housing grants with a request for new proposals.
She says they expect two new projects proposed for Milwood to make requests for funding in this next round. Meanwhile, the county board is considering proposals to set a deadline for developers to make use of their allocated grants or lose them, rather than have the precious resource tied up. Balkema says a new tax increment financing plan through local brownfield authorities could also give a shot in the arm to their efforts to build affordable housing. Governor Whitmer signed it into law this year. It will give builders access to another source of revenue.
