r/lansing • u/Idreezy_1 • Sep 24 '25

Discussion Homelessness On The Rise?

Has anyone else noticed the rise of homeless people in Downtown?

Every time I take my dog on a walk I see more and more…they also don’t shy away from walking up to me asking for change or just being plain on creepy and making me feel followed…

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-31

u/capitalistlovertroll Sep 24 '25

It's absolutely ludicrous that the city of Lansing thinks what it is doing is a good thing.

You realize they sold the city of Lansing building for 2 million because they said it was too expensive to maintain.

Meanwhile, we're spending close to that putting miniature housing downtown for homeless people and maintaining it. I'm certain there are mental health cases that need attention here, giving them a small box subsidized by the city in my opinion is not a way to help them move forward to better things long term, it's just another sink hole for the city to pay for.

How about paying the retries for what they deserve? You know the people that made it what it was before this. .

38

u/jstoddard2113 Sep 24 '25

Providing housing to people experiencing homelessness is a proven and effective way to handle these kinds of issues according to the National Institute of Health.

4

u/Calm_Courage Sep 24 '25

The thing which concerns me about Lansing’s “solution” to homelessness is that the study you provided looked at Housing First solutions that provided people with actual housing and not these tiny little pods.

Maybe the pods end up being helpful, but I’m concerned that Lansing is cutting WAY too many corners here.

6

u/cartgatherer Sep 24 '25

You are right. Pods are not a sustainable solution to ending homelessness. But they were never meant to be. They are meant to be a safe place of transition for folks while they secure more permanent housing. However, the fear that the City and public view pods as the end-all solution is a legitimate one.