Support sought for residential zoning reform

As staff coordinator of the Ingham County Housing Trust Fund and a member of the Shared-Use Housing Advocacy Network, I believe our community must encourage a diverse range of housing options in order to be responsive to local housing needs. The Shared-Use Housing Advocacy Network is a group of Lansing residents who believe shared housing can help to address the housing shortage by gently increasing density and diversifying housing options.

The City of Lansing Planning Commission has unanimously supported zoning changes that allow for boarding houses, cooperative housing, cottage developments, rooming houses and accessory dwelling units (ADUs). City Council will hold a public hearing on these changes during their Oct. 28 meeting. By adopting these changes, the city has an opportunity to distinguish itself as a regional leader in encouraging diverse housing options for Lansing’s diverse population.

We know that too many community members are struggling with the persistent shortage of safe, affordable housing and that shared-housing developments like ADUs can expand housing accessibility. ADUs are small houses or apartments on a single-family residence property that provide for separate and independent living. The Biden administration and local governments around the country, including 20 cities/villages in Michigan, have embraced ADUs.

We urge all fellow residents concerned about housing to contact City Council and/or attend the meeting at 7 p.m. Oct. 28 to ask for their support on the proposed zoning modifications as an important piece of the response to Lansing’s critical housing shortage.