Kalamazoo County Launches Transitional Family Shelter to Address Growing Need for Emergency Housing

*KALAMAZOO, MI* — Kalamazoo County has taken a major step in addressing family homelessness by converting a former hotel into The Landing Place, a transitional shelter dedicated to providing safe, dignified housing for families with children experiencing homelessness.

The facility is scheduled to open its doors in late April 2026, with a ribbon cutting ceremony tentatively set for April 30, according to Kalamazoo County Public Information Officer Taylor Koopman.

"We chose the name The Landing Place because that's what we want this shelter to be — a safe, stabilizing space for families during one of the most difficult times in their lives," said County Administrator/Controller Kevin Catlin.

The new shelter will be located at 1912 E. Kilgore St., where a former Country Inn and Suites hotel once stood. The building will undergo conversion from a hotel to a transitional family shelter designed to serve families experiencing homelessness in Kalamazoo County.

$12 Million Investment Brings Shelter Vision to Life

With more than $12 million in new contracts approved, The Landing Place is one step closer to opening and bringing Kalamazoo County's vision for safe, dignified family shelter to life. The investment reflects the county's commitment to addressing homelessness through permanent solutions rather than temporary measures.

"The county will hold a ribbon cutting ceremony for The Landing Place, tentatively scheduled for April 30," Koopman said.

The facility will provide transitional housing for families with children who are experiencing homelessness in Kalamazoo County. The shelter is part of a broader effort by Kalamazoo County to reduce housing instability and strengthen coordination across the housing system.

Temporary Housing Ends March 31

In the weeks leading up to The Landing Place's opening, families waiting for shelter have been housed in hotel rooms as a temporary measure. This arrangement has been in place since the county's previous emergency shelter program ended on March 31, 2026.

At a March 17 Kalamazoo County Board of Commissioners meeting, Commissioner Tami Rey raised concerns about where families would go after the emergency shelter program concluded. The county's response was to accelerate The Landing Place opening timeline to ensure no families would be left without housing options.

"For those who have support and a plan, the teams will reinforce those connections," Griffin wrote in a letter MLive obtained through the county. "For those who don't, the teams will help them identify their options."

Part of Broader Housing Initiative

The Landing Place represents one component of Kalamazoo County's comprehensive approach to addressing housing instability. The county has also introduced a Draft Housing Framework with $23.3 million in committed funding over three years to advance priority initiatives identified in the framework.

The framework includes a roadmap for reducing housing instability, expanding access to shelter and housing, and strengthening coordination across the housing system. The Landing Place fits into this broader strategy as a dedicated facility for families with children.

Community Response and Next Steps

The county has unveiled a new webpage inviting the public to learn about, connect with, and share information about The Landing Place. This transparency effort reflects the county's commitment to community engagement as it implements new housing initiatives.

"Kalamazoo County has introduced The Landing Place — the official name and identity for its transitional family shelter — and unveiled a new webpage inviting the public to learn, connect, and share."

The shelter opening in late April 2026 will provide a critical resource for families experiencing homelessness in Kalamazoo County. The facility represents a significant investment in addressing one of the region's most pressing social issues through permanent, dignified housing solutions.

Sources

  • https://www.mlive.com/news/kalamazoo/2026/03/new-family-homeless-shelter-in-kalamazoo-sets-opening-date-5-things-to-know.html
  • https://www.mlive.com/news/kalamazoo/2026/03/hotel-rooms-will-house-families-waiting-for-kalamazoo-homeless-shelter-to-open.html
  • https://www.kalcounty.gov/