We sat down with Marvin Veltkamp, a managing member of MDV Properties GP LLC, to learn more about Kalamazoo Community Courtyard (KCC), a new 19-unit affordable housing development specifically created to provide permanently affordable homes for survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault and human trafficking.
With over 30 years of experience leading affordable housing projects in Michigan, Marvin was excited to explain how this development is not only about providing safe and affordable housing but also ensuring that some of the most vulnerable members of our community experience dignity, healing and access to new opportunities.
A Vision Begins
The seeds of KCC were planted years before construction began. What started as a simple conversation between future partners, MDV Properties GP LLC, YWCA Kalamazoo, Visser Construction, Zero Day, Inc. and Medallion Management, evolved into a bold vision: to create housing rooted not only in affordability, but in care, safety and long-term transformation.
From the beginning, the journey was anything but simple. Affordable housing developments are known for their complexity, requiring layers of financing, regulatory approvals and collaboration across sectors. To make this project a reality, this complexity was amplified.
“Of the affordable housing communities that I’ve worked on over the years, and I think I’ve developed 35 throughout Michigan, this one has by far the most sources and most complicated source stack of revenue coming in to make the deal work,” said Marvin.
Yet, what could’ve been an obstacle became an opportunity. As Marvin continued to work with his team to move the project forward, word began to spread, and, before long, momentum grew. Public entities, nonprofits and private partners (Michigan State Housing Development Authority, City of Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo County and Cinnaire Corporation) all stepped forward, each playing a critical role.
“It was kind of fun to watch, because it almost became contagious,” said Marvin. “Everybody was on board, focusing on figuring out how to get this done.”
“The deal would not have come to fruition without the participation of the Social Impact Investment program,” said Marvin.
A Community Comes Together
Marvin notes that this project wouldn’t have been possible without the significant support of each partner. YWCA Kalamazoo will provide on-site support services and refer clients to KCC for housing. Zero Day, Inc., a nonprofit that aims to empower veterans through employment, job training and housing services, will contribute employment training programs. Visser Construction has served as the general contractor for most of the project, and Medallion Management will oversee property management. Local partners, from churches to nonprofits, have committed to supporting future residents in tangible ways, including helping with transportation and job readiness.
“To be able to have an impact not only of just brick and mortar housing, but the support services and the employment training, I think it’s one of the better, if not the best, model of affordable housing with support services that I’ve ever worked on,” said Marvin. “It’s fantastic.”
This ecosystem of support reflects a powerful truth: wraparound services provided alongside safe and affordable housing can go a long way toward transforming the lives of our community members. Creating a stable, thriving community requires true partnership, an understanding reflected in the very purpose of KCC.
Overcoming the Impossible
Despite strong community backing, one critical challenge remained: financing the project. Traditional lending options simply wouldn’t work, and the cost of borrowing at market rates would’ve made the project financially unfeasible, threatening to unravel years of planning and partnership.
That’s when KZCF stepped in to help.
KCC received a $2 million impact investment loan via KZCF’s Social Impact Investment (SII) program, payable over 20 years at an annual interest rate of 2%. With such a low rate and an extended term, the loan provided a critical way forward, fundamentally changing the project’s trajectory.
Looking Ahead to the Future
As construction on the project nears completion, Marvin is looking forward to what’s in store.
We may have the opportunity to take this model and replicate it in order to make a way larger impact in other areas of the United States.”
Marvin Veltkamp | Managing Member, MDV Properties GP LLC
That possibility speaks to the broader significance of the project and its value as a blueprint for what can happen when communities invest boldly in equity and care. Residents will move into fully furnished homes, complete with dishes, linens and everyday essentials, removing the burden that often accompanies relocation.
Each home represents safety, and each resident represents a story of resilience. For every successful outcome nurtured by KCC, a ripple effect will spread throughout Kalamazoo County.
A Legacy of Impact
KCC represents more than a completed project; it represents what it means to leave a legacy, something Marvin considers each time he thinks about the development. “The fact that late in my career, I have had the opportunity to get this done and watch it conclude and see the outcome, the beneficial outcome, for the households that are going to live here,” said Marvin. “It’s like I’m leaving a legacy, you know, within the community.”
That legacy belongs not only to Marvin, but to an entire community — one that chose to come together, persevere through challenges and invest in a more equitable future. At its core, KCC is a story of what’s possible when compassion meets action, and when partnership fuels progress.
It’s a reminder that with the right vision and reliable support, transformation is not only achievable – it’s inevitable.
Join Us on the Journey
In 2024, KZCF identified an opportunity to partner with donors to broaden our reach and make a bigger investment in Kalamazoo County. The result was the creation of the Social Impact Investment Fund. With the SII Fund, 50% is invested in local projects that support KZCF’s mission, activating more dollars to finance large-scale developments and projects.
In the first year since the SII Fund was created, it has welcomed a series of gifts from individuals and organizations, including a $25,000 gift from Advia Credit Union. These early supporters have not only added to KZCF’s ability to invest but also generated momentum and confidence in what community can do together to support projects like KCC. Donors who support the fund enjoy the added bonus of seeing the impact of their donation as new buildings, companies and nonprofit spaces arise in Kalamazoo County.
