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Kalamazoo Gathers to Discuss Affordable Housing Crisis
Journalists and advocates explore systemic barriers and new approaches to the region's persistent housing challenges.
Feb. 6, 2026 at 2:15pm
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Housing advocates and journalists gathered in Kalamazoo for a panel discussion examining the region's ongoing affordable housing crisis, highlighting systemic barriers, community resistance and the need for new approaches to an issue panelists said has persisted for decades. The discussion explored what 'affordable housing' actually means, why proposed solutions so often stall, and how outdated systems struggle to meet current needs.
Why it matters
The affordable housing crisis is a longstanding issue in many communities, with systemic barriers, funding challenges, and community resistance often stalling progress. This panel discussion in Kalamazoo aimed to shed light on the complexities of the problem and explore innovative solutions to increase access to stable, affordable housing.
The details
The panel, moderated by WMUK's Gordon Evans, included journalists who regularly cover housing and community issues as well as local housing advocates. They discussed how the term 'affordable housing' has become stigmatized, leading to neighborhood opposition even before developments are proposed. Panelists also highlighted systemic barriers like outdated zoning codes, the shrinking supply of lower-cost homes, and the widening gap between home prices and what many residents can afford. Housing advocates described the challenges of overcoming 'not in my backyard' (NIMBY) attitudes, even from those who support affordable housing in theory.
- The panel discussion took place on February 6, 2026.
The players
Alek Haak-Frost
Editor-in-chief and founder of Watershed Voice.
Brad Devereaux
Reporter for MLive.
Jordyn Hermani
Reporter for Bridge Michigan.
Al Jones
Freelance journalist and project editor for On the Ground Kalamazoo.
Gwendolyn Hooker
Housing advocate with Kalamazoo-based Hope Through Navigation.
What they’re saying
“It's almost used as a slur at this point.”
— Jordyn Hermani, Reporter, Bridge Michigan
“The streets cannot be a waiting room for unhoused people. It's an issue about the system evolving to meet people now.”
— Gwendolyn Hooker, Housing advocate, Hope Through Navigation
“We do feel it is a call of God to best serve the needs of our community.”
— Patsy Moore, Mount Zion Baptist Church and Legacy Senior Living
What’s next
Panelists agreed that addressing the region's housing crisis will require cooperation across all levels of government, updated zoning and building codes, and sustained public pressure to overcome resistance to change.
The takeaway
This discussion highlights the complex, systemic nature of the affordable housing crisis, with panelists emphasizing the need for creativity, flexibility, and a willingness to rethink how housing is built and regulated in order to make meaningful progress in Kalamazoo and beyond.
