After a long search Open Doors purchased 530 W. North, a building with five one- bedroom apartments, on November 5, 2005. An anonymous donor made it possible for us to purchase this home, bringing the total number of units in Open Doors’ Residence Community at the time to 16.
This building was built in 1905. We have done extensive work on the property over the years, replacing the roof, installing new windows, adding insulation, installing new siding, and constructing a new porch for one of the side entrances to the building.
These improvements were made possible by a grant from an anonymous donor, a Community Development Block grant from the City of Kalamazoo, and substantial volunteer and financial support from several area churches including Third Christian Reformed Church, St. Timothy Episcopal Church, St. Martin of Tours Episcopal Church, and St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church.
Two apartments are upstairs, two are on the ground floor, and one is a basement apartment. This was our first Residence Community property outside the Vine neighborhood.
ABOUT OPEN DOORS KALAMAZOO
At Open Doors Kalamazoo we partner with low-wage working men and women to empower them to support themselves and their families and overcome or avoid homelessness. Through housing, partnerships, and advocacy, Open Doors Kalamazoo has been helping individuals and families overcome homelessness since 1970. We seek to provide solutions to the housing crisis faced by low-wage working families in our community. As families are strengthened, so is our community. Learn more at www.opendoorskalamazoo.org
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