Uplifting families & addressing homelessness at its roots
Kalamazoo County is committed to ensuring all families have access to safe, stable housing. The Transitional Family Shelter is a vital initiative designed to support families experiencing homelessness by providing temporary housing and comprehensive support services.
Family homelessness is a growing challenge in our community, and existing resources are not sufficient to meet the need. This shelter will provide a structured, supportive space that prioritizes the well-being of children and parents, equipping them with the tools needed to achieve long-term housing security.
Project Details
The Landing Place is more than a shelter—it’s a vital step toward lasting stability. This transitional family shelter provides a safe and supportive environment where families experiencing homelessness can pause, rebuild, and prepare for the next phase of their journey.
Designed to help break the cycle of homelessness, The Landing Place will offer wraparound support in a welcoming space where families can regain their footing with dignity.
The shelter’s name reflects its role as a stable point along the path forward—a place to land, gather strength, and move ahead with renewed direction and hope.
- Location: 1912 E. Kilgore Service Road, Portage, MI (located within the city of Kalamazoo)
- Facility Type: Former Country Inn & Suites hotel
- Number of Units: 80
- Purchase Price: $5.65 million
- Proximity to Services: Convenient access to I-94, Metro bus routes, schools, and community resources
This project represents a significant step toward providing families with a stable foundation while they work toward permanent housing. By creating this holistic approach, the shelter aims to address the root causes of homelessness and give families the support they need to thrive.
Capacity & Services
- Designed to house multiple families at a time, with private family units.
- 24/7 on-site support staff to assist residents.
- A family-friendly, trauma-informed approach to shelter services.
- Access to case management, job training, childcare assistance, and healthcare coordination.
Facility & Features
- Private living spaces for families to maintain dignity and privacy.
- Child-friendly common areas with learning and recreational spaces.
- On-site supportive services to help families transition into permanent housing.
- Accessibility features to ensure inclusivity for families with disabilities.
Impact & Benefits
The transitional family shelter will address a critical gap in housing support for families experiencing homelessness. The project will:
- Provide safe, dignified, and temporary housing for families in crisis.
- Offer wraparound services to help families transition to stable, permanent housing.
- Reduce the number of families with children living in emergency shelters, cars, or other unstable conditions.
- Strengthen community partnerships to deliver comprehensive support services, including job training, childcare assistance, and mental health resources.
For Families
- Immediate access to safe and stable shelter.
- Support to find and secure permanent housing.
- Improved access to education, healthcare, and job opportunities.
- A structured environment that supports family healing and stability.
For the Community
- A reduction in family homelessness.
- Lower reliance on emergency services and crisis interventions.
- Stronger community partnerships to address root causes of homelessness.
- Improved outcomes for children experiencing homelessness.
Project Timeline
We know that finding safe, stable shelter is an urgent need for families experiencing homelessness. That’s why we have been working hard to bring The Landing Place, our transitional family shelter, to life.
While we initially planned to open The Landing Place by mid-summer 2025, we are now projecting a December 2025 opening. This timeline adjustment reflects our focus on careful planning and providing a safe, supportive environment for families. Our team is actively managing the permitting process, finalizing staffing plans, and preparing the facility for effective operations.
What We Are Doing Right Now:
- Securing an Operations Provider: We have reopened the Request for Proposals (RFP) process to identify the right organization with the expertise to manage shelter operations effectively. Our goal is to partner with a provider that can offer high-quality support to families. We anticipate having a provider chosen and approved by the Board of Commissioners in August.
- Advancing Construction: Construction is progressing as planned. Repair work on residential spaces has begun, and we are coordinating with the City of Kalamazoo for necessary site reviews. Major improvements, including fire suppression systems, supportive service space, and a commercial kitchen, are set to begin this summer. Our construction timeline is estimated at five months, targeting a December 2025 certificate of occupancy.
- Exploring a Phased Opening: To help families sooner, we are considering a phased approach, allowing some areas of the shelter to open as work continues in others, like the dedicated childcare space. This approach will allow us to welcome families gradually, ensuring they receive safe, supportive care from day one.
How We Will Support Families in the Meantime:
We are working closely with the City of Kalamazoo and community partners to explore temporary shelter solutions for the unhoused during the winter months. These planning efforts are still in the early stages, but we will provide additional details as they become available. Our focus is on ensuring those experiencing homelessness have a safe place to turn, even before The Landing Place is fully operational.
We are committed to transparency and proactive information sharing as this important project moves forward. We will continue to share updates as we reach key milestones – whether related to construction, operations, or interim planning.