South Mall Senior Apartments

South Mall Senior Apartments is a 204-unit, 15-floor HUD Section 8 income-based apartment community located at 105 East Walnut Street in downtown Kalamazoo, Michigan. It has been serving seniors 62+ and adults with disabilities since 1987 under a new name, formerly known as Skyrise Elderly Apartments. The property offers studio, one-, and two-bedroom apartments with elevators, secured entry, laundry, and a community room, while providing no meals, housekeeping, transportation, or personal care services.

Rent is structured as 30% of a household's adjusted monthly income rather than a fixed market rate, in compliance with the HUD Multifamily Section 8 program. Adjusted income allows deductions for medical expenses, disability-related costs, and dependent care, meaning the final payment may be lower than 30% of gross income. The exact amount is determined during the certification process once a resident reaches the top of the waitlist.

Applicants 62 or older receive first priority, while adults 50 to 61 with a disability receive second priority, and those 49 or younger with a disability receive third priority. All applicants must have a household income at or below 50% of the area median income, which was $36,900 for one person and $42,150 for two people in 2026. Medical verification is required for second and third priority applicants but not for first priority seniors.

Applicants can download the application, pick one up at the office, or request one by calling 269-388-3011. After completing the form with a photo ID, Social Security card, and birth certificate, it must be returned in person, by mail, or electronically with encryption. Preliminary screening occurs within 10 business days, and names are added to the waitlist by the date and time of receipt.

The community includes barrier-free units available in all unit types, subject to availability, along with elevator access to all 15 floors. Residents enjoy a community room, garden, and laundry facilities, and the entire campus is 100% smoke-free effective January 2027. The property also maintains a pet-friendly policy that requires a refundable deposit.

The apartments are situated at 105 E. Walnut Street at the south end of the Kalamazoo Mall in downtown Kalamazoo. The location boasts a Walk Score of 88, placing it within a 3-minute walk of Bronson Methodist Hospital and steps from the Kalamazoo Mall, restaurants, and public transit. The Metro 13 bus route provides access across the city without needing a car.

The community is professionally managed by Michigan Capital Management, which has operated income-based senior apartments in downtown Kalamazoo since 1987. The management team includes an on-site property manager, an assistant property manager, and a property administrator who handle administrative functions and documentation. They are committed to quality affordable housing under the HUD Multifamily Section 8 program.

The office is open Monday through Friday from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM and 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM, and is closed on federal holidays. Residents can call 269-388-3011 for urgent inquiries, with TTY 711 available for those who need it. A fax number, 269-388-3013, is provided specifically for document submissions, though callers are advised to call first to notify the office.

Applicants are placed on the waitlist by priority tier first, followed by the date and time the application was received. Under the HUD contract, 40% of households moving in each fiscal year must have extremely low incomes, which means some applicants with slightly higher incomes may be temporarily passed over. Wait times vary by unit size, so current wait times should be confirmed by calling the office.

Applicants must provide a government-issued photo ID, a Social Security card for every household member, and a birth certificate or other proof of age. If applying under second or third priority, medical verification of disability is also required. The form must be filled out completely before submission to avoid delays in the screening process.

For 2026, the income limit for the Kalamazoo-Portage area is set at $36,900 for one person and $42,150 for two people. These limits are updated annually by HUD and apply to households seeking to rent at South Mall Senior Apartments. Full eligibility details and the complete income limit table are available on the website for verification.

The property offers language assistance in 10 languages to help residents and applicants communicate effectively. Those needing help in another language can call 269-388-3011 or TTY 711, and the staff will make every reasonable effort to assist in their preferred language. This ensures that eligibility and application processes are accessible to a diverse population.

The office operates on a split schedule, open from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM and again from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM on weekdays. Saturday and Sunday are closed, as are federal holidays. This schedule is designed to accommodate application processing and waitlist questions while maintaining operational efficiency.

The official website of South Mall Senior Apartments is southmallsenior.com.

South Mall Senior Apartments has no reviews on Trustburn yet. Anyone who has used it can write the first review on its Trustburn page.