01/03/2025
It was a pleasure to be the guest speaker today at the Three Rivers MI Rotary Club and share my passion for our community, especially housing. 🏠
Clayton Lyczynski II, St. Joseph County Housing Coordinator, shared with us about his efforts to fulfill the St. Joseph County Housing Plan, whose purpose is to get more housing in St. Joseph County for people from all walks of life, as well as to make the county an attractive place to live.
Projects in which he has had some level of participation over the past few months include Mendon Workforce Housing, Sturgis Housing Commission, Hope United—Homeless Village, Three Rivers Promise Neighborhood, Coolidge Housing Development, Rooted Safe House/Centreville, City of Three Rivers Revitalization, VA In-Town House/Ash Road Community, and Habitat for Humanity.
He is excited about four applications he has in the works for grants that could get $200,000-$400,000 for housing updates in each community that receives one.
“The goal is more housing, but on the back end we need to stop housing from going out the door,” he said, referring to houses that fall into significant disrepair when their owners cannot afford maintenance.
Lyczynski’s two-year contract is scheduled to end in July; he is looking for grants and private sources to continue the funding.
A former Three Rivers city commissioner, Lyczynski tries to apprise the community of events and enlist feedback through his page, Clayton Lyczynski II - Community Connector.
“Everything I’m doing is to make this county a better place,” he said. “This is my heart—this is who I am.”