About Us

We're dedicated to

  • Creating permanently affordable rental housing
  • Developing neighborhood leaders and engaged citizens
  • Fostering democratic participation
  • Building community


Mission

Kalamazoo Collective Housing is a 501(c)3 tax exempt nonprofit organization. We provide nonprofit, sustainable housing; empower people to create democratic cooperatives; and strengthen our community through shared resources and education.

We envision a strong and diverse network of cooperative housing throughout Kalamazoo that addresses the needs of low-income residents, supports the local community, and exemplifies sustainable living. Kalamazoo Collective Housing will take an active role in continually expanding cooperative housing opportunities in the city.

 

Our Values

  • Voluntary & Open Membership
  • Democratic Member Participation
  • Independence & Self Reliance
  • Education, Training, & Information
  • Sustainability
  • Cooperation among Cooperatives
  • Concern for Community
  • Individual Responsibility
    See our values explained.

 

Expansion Plan

We will expand rapidly from 2009-2015. During this period, we will harness the energy and expertise of the many people in Kalamazoo who are seeking better housing options. With five years of property management experience behind us, we are ready to purchase more homes and apartment units. We plan to:

  • Focus on core downtown neighborhoods
  • Buy existing housing, including vacant, foreclosed, or condemned property when appropriate
  • Renovate new purchases as needed, creating high quality, permanently affordable rental housing
  • Collaborate with neighborhood associations and existing housing providers

 

Democratic Participation

KCH is structured as a cooperative – residents control the governance of the organization. Our Board of Directors is comprised of 5 residents and 3 non-resident community trustees. The Board oversees budgeting, staff, policymaking, and expansion. Through our democratic structure, we empower residents to make key decisions about their housing. With this responsibility comes commitment and a sense of ownership.

 

More About Us

Contact Us

Board of Directors

Staff

Donate

In Memory of Tim Hurttgam

A Photo Essay on Cooperative Living

 

Our Impact

Developing stable affordable housing
Our housing costs are at or below market rates. Serving the needs of low-income residents is key to our work. By making cooperative ownership available to a wide range of people, we are fostering a more stable community in areas dominated by homes owned by absentee landlords.

Building leadership
Residents gain concrete skills during their time at our co-ops. In addition to teaching financial, maintenance, communication, and teambuilding skills, we develop strong leaders in the community. These leaders go on to start new programs, volunteer their talent, and remain engaged in Kalamazoo. They also walk away prepared for individual homeownership.

Supporting local business
We strongly support local business and agriculture. Annually, we spend tens of thousands of dollars locally, which keeps resources circulating in the community. We prioritize purchasing from local vendors and producers.

Sustainability
Our work is rooted in the belief that environmental and economic sustainability is critical in both serving our community and prospering as an organization. We strive for energy efficiency, find creative ways to reduce consumption and waste, and educate our members and neighbors about the importance of sustainable practices.

 

Our Partners

We work in partnership with

We are grateful for the generous support of