KALAMAZOO, MI — A policy change means people will be turned away from the emergency shelter at the downtown Gospel mission for the first time, starting today, Monday, Oct. 6.

In July, Kalamazoo Gospel Ministries told its guests and the broader community that changes were coming to the emergency shelter capacity, reducing the total number of beds.

The facility is ending the practice of allowing overflow sleeping space on the floor at the Kalamazoo Gospel Mission, 448 N. Burdick St., which it has done for years to increase capacity as needed.

The emergency shelter has 140 beds available.

Guests staying in the emergency shelter will also now be limited to 120 days , Chief Operating Officer Rev. John Simpson said.

To prepare for the reduction in available emergency beds, KGM implemented

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