Former Politician Leads Charge on Housing Millage Success

*PORTAGE, Mich.* — A new affordable housing community is officially welcoming its first residents in Portage, marking a significant milestone in Kalamazoo County's eight-year effort to address the region's severe housing shortage.

The 14-acre Stanwood Crossings development on Stanley Avenue has been completed, delivering 42 homes to residents making 80% to 120% of the Area Median Income. Priced between $217,200 and $257,700, the homes represent a crucial middle-affordability option in a market where skilled workers often struggle to find suitable housing near major employers like Stryker Corporation.

Mary Balkema, Kalamazoo County Housing Director, walked through the finished units on April 1, highlighting the unique financing structure that made the project possible.

"It's too expensive," Balkema said about why none of the homes have basements. "Homes with a variety of configurations are being completed at Stanwood Crossings in Portage on April 1, 2026. The first homes in the development welcomed in new tenants earlier this year."

County Housing Director at Center of Development

Balkema, 59, brings decades of experience in local government to her current role. She served as a Kalamazoo City Commissioner from 2001 to 2007, then as county treasurer from 2007 until 2020, when she was hired as housing director.

"There was no playbook" for this, Balkema said. "As Kalamazoo County is the first in Michigan to do a housing millage at this scale. They've tested and evaluated strategies as they go."

The development received $3 million in county millage funding, along with other financing sources including EGLE grants totaling $1.3 million for brownfield cleanup. The site was previously an auto repair shop, junkyard, and industrial site.

Innovative Financing Structure

The Stanwood Crossings model uses a community land trust approach, where the city of Portage owns the land and residents lease it. This structure significantly reduces the purchase price for buyers while ensuring long-term affordability.

Anita Johnson, housing resource specialist with the city of Portage, helped select interior details for the new homes and documented small changes to inform future builds.

"We wanted to build a tax base, we wanted to build a community," Balkema said. "The homes are for people making 80% to 120% of the Area Median Income, targeting buyers in the middle affordability range."

Progress Against Housing Millage Goals

As of April 2026, Kalamazoo County has completed 2,503 homes since the housing millage began in August 2020. The county has contributed funding to 1,873 units, including 215 owner-occupied rehabs and housing-related programs.

The county's goal was to address an estimated need of nearly 8,000 housing units. Balkema noted the project represents the county being "one-third of the way there."

"Building housing is a long-range goal county taxpayers are helping to fund," Balkema said. "The county millage money fills gaps for projects like Stanwood Crossings. Developers need funds and some of the financing structures are quite complicated, she said. And no bank is going to give them a loan to build on dirt they don't own. The county's 'flexible money' makes it happen."

Looking Ahead

Balkema is already working on the next phase of the county's housing development strategy, which includes infill homes, multi-family apartments, and other housing types to address supply constraints throughout the market.

"If you only have a hammer in your toolbox, everything looks like a nail," Balkema said. "I need every tool in the toolbox to make these deals work."

The county's 0.75-mill, eight-year housing proposal remains the first of its scale in Michigan, with Ingham County following in 2024 with a smaller 0.5-mill levy for four years.

Community Impact

The development addresses a critical need for affordable housing near major employers. Balkema noted that the area hosts skilled workers who might work at Stryker and other major employers, but who have struggled to find suitable housing options in the market.

"It takes a lot of work, she said, to determine details of each place and get the financing right. That's why none of the homes here have basements," Balkema said. "Homes with a variety of configurations are being completed at Stanwood Crossings in Portage."

The first families moved in earlier this year, with the remaining units being completed in early April 2026. The project represents a significant achievement in the county's ongoing effort to solve its housing crisis while creating a sustainable community that benefits residents and taxpayers alike.

Sources

  • Former politician pulls strings to build the housing Kalamazoo County needs — https://mlive.com/news/kalamazoo/2026/04/former-politician-pulls-strings-to-build-the-housing-kalamazoo-county-needs.html