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Dusky long outdoor view of modern multi-unit residential building on a hill with another building in the same style further down the hill. There is a snowy hillside in the foreground

'Nothing but problems': Confronting the living conditions at Fox Ridge Apartments

Tenants at a housing complex in Kalamazoo have long complained of problems such as severe mouse infestations and sewer backups. Advocates for residents say the conditions are threat to children's health. How does Fox Ridge keep passing inspection, and what would it take to bring meaningful change?WMUK reported this three-part investigative series in collaboration with NowKalamazoo.

'Nothing but problems': Confronting the living conditions at Fox Ridge Apartments, Part 3

WMUK | By Jessi Phillips

Published January 22, 2025 at 9:07 PM EST

up close picture of worn-looking baseboard heater with a gap that appears to expose the heating element. They are painted white. A child's foot with sparkly sandal is visible on the left. Also a worn-looking light-colored carpet. — A broken baseboard heater at Fox Ridge Apartments on Wednesday, May 24, 2023.

A former employee of the complex said managers are not willing to spend what it would really cost to fix the buildings.

This is the first story in a new reporting collaboration with NowKalamazoo exploring Kalamazoo County's housing crisis.

Managers at Fox Ridge Apartments in Kalamazoo say they care about tenants. But "Sam," who used to work there, describes managers' real attitude toward their renters as one of "disdain." (We're not using Sam's real name because they fear retribution for speaking out.)

In the third and final part of our series, Sam describes questionable management practices at Fox Ridge to public officials, who seem alarmed — and poised to act. But will they?

You can read WMUK/NowKalamazoo's full investigation of Fox Ridge at NowKalamazoo.org.