Residents press Kalamazoo commissioners for more housing, mental-health and park access during public comment

A string of public commenters at the Committee of the Whole meeting on Monday urged the city to do more to address homelessness and improve neighborhood supports.

Michael Brown, a first-time attendee who said he sees people living near Bronson Park, urged the commission to combine housing, employment and mental-health services in a coordinated way: "I just want to see some purpose, you know, like I see people, they don't really seem to have a drive," he said. Several other speakers, including Thurman Duncan, asked the city to reopen Arcadia Park to allow music and food distribution events that have supported neighbors.

Speakers with lived experience and service proposals emphasized community-led approaches. One presenter described a recovery-focused program to give homeless people skills and services and said they would seek state funding to support the effort. Tray Merrick and Lamarre Merrit asked for more supportive treatment for people with mental-health conditions and offered to stay in touch with city staff about ideas for a unity day and local partnerships.

Mayor Anderson closed the Committee-of-the-Whole public-comment period and reminded speakers of a longer public-comment opportunity at the 7:00 p.m. regular meeting. No formal action was taken during the Committee of the Whole on the topics raised; commissioners asked staff later in the meeting to bring back information and to coordinate with community partners.