KHA Housing Book Club

A community conversation about housing, homelessness, and what we can do about it.

Books have a way of opening our eyes to what’s happening right outside our door. Join Kalamazoo Housing Advocates for a free, community-focused book club where we read, discuss, and connect around one of the most pressing issues of our time — housing instability and homelessness in America.

Open to everyone. No experience required. Just curiosity and a willingness to show up.

KHA Housing Book Club flyer

About the Book Club

The KHA Housing Book Club is a monthly, in-person gathering where community members come together to read and discuss books about housing and homelessness — the causes, the human stories, and the paths forward.

We believe that understanding a problem deeply is the first step toward solving it. Whether you work in housing, have been personally affected by housing instability, or simply want to learn more and connect with others who care — this book club is for you.

Our discussions are guided, thoughtful, and grounded in both the book’s ideas and our local Kalamazoo context. We’ll explore what’s happening nationally, why it matters locally, and what we can all do about it.

First Session Details

Date: Tuesday, June 17, 2026
Time: 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
Location: Kazoo Books — 2413 Parkview Ave, Kalamazoo, MI 49008
Refreshments: Tea and coffee provided
Capacity: Limited to 20 participants — register early!
Book: “There Is No Place For Us” by Brian Goldstone (free on registration)
Facilitator: Wendy King

Image of a book cover for

What We’re Reading

An exceptional feat of reporting.”
The New York Times Book Review

“There Is No Place For Us”
Working and Homeless in America · Brian Goldstone

Non-fiction. In the shadow of a booming city, the “hidden homeless” fight to maintain dignity while trapped in a cycle of housing instability.

Goldstone follows working families navigating the thin line between a paycheck and the streets, exploring how Atlanta’s crisis reflects the challenges facing communities across America (issues that our own Kalamazoo neighbors have been struggling with for decades).

This book asks uncomfortable questions about who gets to have a home in modern America, and why. It is the perfect starting point for the conversations KHA believes this community needs to have.

How It Works

1

Register

Sign up using the registration form below. Spots are limited to 20 participants, so register early to secure your place.

   

2

Pick up your free book

After registering, you’ll receive an email confirmation. Within a day, your free copy of “There Is No Place For Us” will be ready for you to pick up at Kazoo Books, 2413 Parkview Ave, Kalamazoo. This first book is on us — our gift to you for showing up.

   

3

Read and reflect

Read the assigned section before the session. We’ll also email you discussion questions to help you think through the themes ahead of time. No pressure to have all the answers — just come ready to share what struck you.

   

4

Join us at Kazoo Books

Come to Kazoo Books on June 17 from 12:00–1:00 PM. Enjoy tea and coffee while we discuss the book together, guided by our facilitator Wendy King. Expect a warm, honest, and energizing conversation.

   

5

Keep going

The book has 5 sections, so we’ll meet once a month from June through October — one section per session. The next session date will be announced at the meeting, on our website, on social media, and by email to all registered participants.

Do I need to have read the whole book before the first session?

No — we’ll be reading the book section by section together. For the first session on June 17, we’ll discuss just the first section. You’ll have plenty of time to read it after picking up your book.

Is this book club free to attend?

Yes, completely free. Your first book is also provided at no cost. Simply register and pick it up from Kazoo Books within a day of registering.

Who is this book club for?

Everyone. Whether you work in housing or social services, have personally experienced housing instability, are a community partner, a student, or simply someone who wants to understand and engage with this issue — you are welcome here. No prior knowledge required.

How many people can attend?

Sessions are capped at 20 participants to keep the conversation intimate and meaningful. Register early to secure your spot.

What if I can’t make it to one of the sessions?

We’d love to see you at as many sessions as possible, but there’s no requirement to attend every one. If you register and can’t make a particular session, just let us know. We’ll keep you updated on future dates by email. We hope you understand that the book club is limited to 20 participants, if you cant attend, do let us know as soon as you can, so that we can offer your spot to someone else.

Will future books also be free?

We’re excited to announce that the first book is free for all registered participants. For future books, we’ll let you know as we go — stay tuned!

I have a question not answered here — who do I contact?

Reach out to Maliha Raza, Development Director, at maliha@kalamazoohousingadvocates.org
or 269-459-1040.
We’d love to hear from you.

Ready to join us?

Register now and we’ll have your free copy of “There Is No Place For Us” ready for pickup at Kazoo Books within a day.

Spots are limited to 20 — don’t wait!

About Kalamazoo Housing Advocates

KHA is a Kalamazoo-based nonprofit working to break the cycle of homelessness by helping individuals and families secure and maintain stable, long-term housing. Through eviction prevention, rapid rehousing, transitional housing, tenant education, and systems advocacy, we walk alongside our community’s most vulnerable residents until they are truly stable.