Page 18 - LRCC November 2020 FOCUS

MEMBER NEWS

Lansing Housing Commission

Providing More than

Affordable Housing

BY: MATTIE MILNE, KOLT COMMUNICATIONS

“CREATE A MODEL FOR THE NATION THAT VOCALIZES ‘We look at everyone
holistically’: This is the mission at the Lansing Housing Commission (LHC),”
said Doug Fleming, executive director, LHC. “We already address clean, safe,
and affordable housing, but to ensure stability, LHC and the community must
address several other crucial components.”

The need for affordable housing in
the Lansing region is a tremendous
unmet potential. LHC opened
its waitlist for its housing voucher
program in August 2020, and within
seven days, 2,000 people applied.

LHC has spent the last two years
improving its entire portfolio to gain
approval by the Rental Assistance
Demonstration (RAD) program.
This allows LHC to place significant
dollars back into its properties, going
towards stable housing and additional
resources.

Over the next two years, LHC will
invest $50 million into housing—in
turn, investing in the community.
The value of these renovations will
be one of the largest investments
in the Lansing neighborhoods.
When completed Mt. Vernon Park, Hildebrandt Park, LaRoy Froh, and South
Washington Park locations will undergo complete renovations. LHC also works with Capital Area Housing Partnership (CAHP)—another
organization in the community with similar goals. The hope is to transition LHC
Construction on the Mount Vernon property will begin Nov. 15, and South residents into their own homes by offering finance education led by CAHP. The
Washington will follow. By early 2022, over 500 apartments will be completely aim is to never compete with other groups focused on improving the Lansing
renovated. community— instead work in tandem to create a healthier, more productive
environment for everyone.
Ryan Robinson, chair of the Board of Commissioners at LHC, notes these
properties benefit the entire community and future residents. “If we house someone and their existing needs of mental health or substance abuse
are not met, more than likely, we are soon going to evict them,” said Fleming. “This
“The housing commission intends to be a developer in the City of Lansing going pushes them deeper into the cycle of poverty and homelessness. We, as a community,
forward. We essentially are providing new housing for older buildings directly need to break this cycle.”
in the neighborhoods,” Robinson said. “We are modernizing units—adding
dishwashers, central air and meeting green environmental standards.” How do you lift people out of an economic situation and help them get up the
ladder? This is the question Fleming, Robinson, community organizations, and
Additionally, LHC is taking extensive measures to provide residents assistance LHC leaders tirelessly work to answer and, more importantly—implement
such as COVID testing, youth events, recreational activities, gardening actionable change.
opportunities, and more. They are partnering with local organizations like MSU,
Capital Area District Library, and Sparrow Health. “So many people who are in affordable housing are there for life. We need to create a
better system,” said Fleming. “We have a mission to increase income, provide basic
“Many agencies do good work regarding wellness, mental health, or finances. human services and safe living environments that will create more self-sufficient
However, it isn’t done holistically. LHC moves to connect the circle,” said Fleming. residents.”
“Rather than only contributing a garden, we partner with MSU to educate residents
on how to prepare healthy meals—providing valuable food security.” For additional information or ways to get involved, visit lanshc.org. n

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