Kalamazoo business owners, residents react to potential POD location
KALAMAZOO, Mich. — Housing Resources Inc. has been looking for a location in Kalamazoo to place 50 Places of Dignity, or "PODs."
PODs are small, temporary living spaces for people without homes. They're meant for homeless people to live in until they can find an affordable place to move.
HRI is evaluating a location in Kalamazoo in the Edison neighborhood, nearby local businesses and residents.
The location has not been finalized.
This is the third location HRI has attempted to place the PODs. They previously attempted to do so at Stockbridge Avenue and Alcott Street, both of which were met with pushback from locals.
- Previous coverage: Kalamazoo's blueprint: Polishing plans for POD homes to help the homeless bounce back
"We have not secured the site, we have not leased the site, we have not purchased the site, but wanted to again reach out and have the conversation that that is a site we were looking at and are pursing for the project," said Michelle Davis, Executive Director of Housing Resources Inc.
Local business owners in the area pushed back against the potential of a POD site nearby. They said there are concerns with the safety of the area, and that gives them pause.
"Those homeless people have enough issues right now without being put on a piece of property that is not safe for them," said Julianna's Restaurant owner Sandra Bloomfield. "They don't need any more challenges than they're facing right now."
Residents in the area are pushing back as well, worrying about safety concerns. Carrie Sluiter, who lives down the street from the potential site, fears for the safety of her children. She hopes if they decide to pursue this site, the outcome is positive.
"If the city just gets them in housing and they get the glory for doing a project and they don't follow through with a good outcome, we all suffer," Sluiter told News Channel 3.
Bloomfield plans to meet with HRI next week for more answers.
One myth about POD communities, HRI said, is that they are hotspots for crime and violence.
However, HRI insists the community would be clean and upkept.
"This is a managed community with 24-hour staffing, security, support, bathrooms, showers, laundry, a very managed community where people have a temporary living space to be safe," said Davis.
Sluiter said she will attend Monday and Tuesday's city commission meetings to voice her opinion about the PODs being place near her home.