Unlocking Housing Solutions:
A Multi-Sector Approach to Kalamazoo’s Crisis
Room 2016/18, 2nd Floor
The housing and homelessness crisis continues to impact Kalamazoo County – driving up costs, displacing residents, and straining local resources. This session will bring together voices from the justice system, housing providers, local business community, and development sectors to examine the intersections of homelessness, housing scarcity, and economic pressures. The panel will explore both the systemic challenges and potential pathways toward inclusive, community-driven solutions to the housing crisis.
Moderator
Alyssa Stewart: Chief Community Impact Officer
Panelist:
Curt Ardema
Marissa Harrington: Real Estate Broker/Team Harrington: is an Associate Broker, Team Leader of The Harrington Team, and founder of Blue Horizon Realty Group, a brokerage committed to empowering individuals through inclusive and equitable access to homeownership and investment opportunities. Originally from Los Angeles, California, Marissa has called Kalamazoo home for the past 16 years, where she is deeply involved in both real estate and the local community. A graduate of Western Michigan University with a BFA in Theatre Performance, Marissa has built a successful career in real estate, selling hundreds of homes over the past eight years. As a dedicated advocate for affordable housing, she strives to remove the stress from the home-buying process by providing personalized service that’s centered around each client’s needs. Marissa’s passion for service extends beyond real estate—she has served on the boards of several non-profit organizations, including the Kalamazoo Institute for the Arts, the Arts Council of Greater Kalamazoo, Read and Write Kalamazoo, and the Kalamazoo Civil Rights Board. Her commitment to the community is reflected in her work as a director and actor with Face Off Theatre Company and her ongoing efforts to advocate for social equity. With Blue Horizon Realty Group, Marissa and her team focus on fostering diversity within the real estate industry, promoting sustainable development, and building lasting relationships based on trust and integrity. Their mission is to empower clients through education, advocacy, and personalized service, helping them make informed decisions that positively impact their lives and the communities they call home. Marissa resides in Kalamazoo with her husband, Harold, and their children, Lyla, Hunter, and Estelle.
Honorable Judge Alisa Parker-LaGrone: Chief Judge Pro Tempore, District Court: Chief Judge Pro Tempore, District Court: Alisa L. Parker-LaGrone is a District Court Judge in Kalamazoo County’s 8th District Court and has been serving in this capacity since November 2021. Prior to joining the bench Judge Parker- LaGrone served as the Managing Attorney for Legal Services of South Central Michigan in Battle Creek, Michigan. She was also co-founder of ANP Consulting LLC, a social innovation consulting firm that equips change agents with the tools and strategies to implement transformation. Judge Parker-LaGrone is passionate about serving her community and has given countless hours through volunteerism to several organizations. She currently serves as the Chair of the State Bar of Michigan’s Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Committee, board member of the Harold and Grace Upjohn Foundation, Vice President of the board for Charlie’s P.L.A.C.E., founding member of Sisters in Business Michigan and a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Judge Parker-LaGrone spent many years as a housing advocate prior to joining the bench in 2021. She primarily practiced as a housing attorney for LSSCM and helped to enhance the eviction diversion work in Calhoun County. Judge Parker-LaGrone also served as a member of the Housing Solutions Board in Calhoun County and helped to develop the Rental Housing Roundtable which worked to build relationship between tenants, landlords, local government and housing resource providers. Over the years Judge Parker-LaGrone has received countless honors and awards for her work. In 2019 Judge Parker-LaGrone was named one of the YWCA’s Women of Achievement as well as one of Southwest Michigan Urban Leagues’ Most Valuable Women. In addition to serving her community, Judge Parker-LaGrone’s other passion is writing. Her first children’s book Lyla & Lydia’s Justice for All: The Basketball Dispute is set to be released in September 2025. This fun story helps to educate kids about the legal system and provide tools for conflict resolution. Alisa continues to work to do the work of justice. She is driven to help others access resources, navigate systems and see meaningful change and improvement in their daily lives.
Leandra Hill: A native of Cincinnati, OH, Le has been a resident of Kalamazoo since 2005. She is currently the Community Manger for Maple Grove Village, a Tax-Credit property located on the North Side of Kalamazoo. Le has spent the past 15 years in a variety of roles that support the mission for safe and affordable housing to end homelessness. Her experience range include Property Management (KMG Prestige & Full Circle Communities), Housing Voucher, Grant and Shelter Management with ISK and MSHDA’s Housing Choice and Project-Based Vouchers with their local Housing Agent – Pine Grove Housing Service. Le’s various roles give hera unique perspective to issues faced by both tenants and Landlords. She believes that the answer to the housing crisis lies in joint effort and accountability from both sides because “There is no place for homelessness or hunger in a civilized and compassionate society.”
