Watson Township Supervisor Kevin Travis confirmed what a lot of people are talking about lately. Allegan County is in crisis because of the lack of affordable housing.
Travis told his Township Board colleagues Thursday night that he has just returned from a seminar at which it was claimed that Allegan County has a housing unit shortage of 6500 units.
“There is a pinch in affordable housing for working class people,” the supervisor said he learned at the seminar in Allegan.
He said it has been estimated that an affordable price for an apartment has been pegged at $1800 a month, but, “You can’t find one for that price.”
Indeed the Gun Lake Tribe and GRI Moline have made attempts recently to take advantage of the situation by proposing parting and housing developments in the city of Wayland and Leighton Township, but so far they have been rebuffed. Public officials’ concerns about traffic and infrastructure have held them back.
In other business at Thursday’s meeting, the Township Board:
Agreed to work together with Monterey and Hopkins Townships in sharing responsibilities during early voting periods in general and primary elections, beginning in 2026. Monterey Township Clerk Megan Frank was present and she said sharing responsibilities would reduce elections costs for each of the townships.
- Decided to retain Troy McKenney of Five Star Realty to negotiate a price for the purchase of a burned down old schoolhouse at 2020 16th St.
- Agreed to beginWas told by Travis that Watson the process of seeking a new auditor. Former auditor Walker Fluke has been purchased by Rehman, which has no interest in continuing the relationship.
- Was told by Travis that Watson is a finalist for a Consumers Energy grant of up to $25,000 to establish a veteran memorial at the Seven Generations Park at. the corner of M-222 and 20th Street.
- Gave the green light to zoning enforcement officer Jim Davis to pursue action against the property owner of a blighted site on 114th Avenue, even though it isn’t likely the owner will pay for the expensive cleanup. Davis reported there are 13 open cases of blight and inoperable vehicles.
- Agreed to allow the Planning Commission to move its meetings to the third Wednesday of the month.
- Agreed to move all accounts from Huntington Bank to United Bank.
