LANSING, Mich. (WLNS) — Lansing Mayor Andy Schor says that he and different Michigan officers are engaged on “potential solutions” for the residents of a homeless encampment after town filed a lawsuit in opposition to two companies for “allowing” the camp to develop on their property.
(WLNS)
The Director of Communications for the Metropolis of Lansing, Scott Bean, instructed 6 Information that Schor has been working with a number of neighborhood members, together with State Rep. Emily Dievendorf (D-Lansing), “to come up with potential solutions to finding assistance and resources for the people living in this encampment.”
Metropolis sues two Lansing companies over homeless camp
Bean mentioned that Schor has additionally been working with Metropolis Legal professional Gregory Venker and related departments to “ensure solutions are part of any legal action.”
Final week, 6 Information reported that within the lawsuit, town claims the enterprise has allowed the camp to exist for the previous a number of years.
Officers say the camp has no water or fuel, and that there’s proof of drug use on the property.
6 Information went to the camp, and residents instructed us there are a minimum of 15 to twenty constructions, and even stays of a trailer that was set on hearth in some unspecified time in the future.
The Mid-Michigan Tenant Useful resource Heart referred to as the lawsuit a “source of fear and instability for Lansing’s unhoused residents,” in a information launch despatched to six Information.
Bean instructed 6 Information that town would “like to have the ability to go into courtroom with momentary options that the advocates and property homeowners can implement to enhance circumstances whereas advocates have the following three months to assist transfer them into longer-term shelter or housing.”
6 Information acquired the next assertion from town whereas reporting on the lawsuit:
The Metropolis understands the plight of the unhoused neighborhood and lately accomplished a complete research that appears at homelessness in the neighborhood and identifies methods to handle points. The creation of encampments that lack fundamental sanitation and utility companies is simply too nice of a risk to the general public well being, welfare, and security to be allowed to proceed in existence. It additionally violates metropolis ordinances and state legal guidelines, so the Metropolis is taking crucial steps to convey this property again into compliance with the legislation.
A number of metropolis council members, companies, and space residents have made complaints and requests for the location to be cleaned up. As a result of this camp is situated on personal property and the property homeowners usually are not complying with the legislation, town is stepping in to take motion. The trash, particles, human waste, and make-shift constructions violate metropolis ordinance. Lansing police, hearth, and EMS have needed to reply right here many occasions for violence, a number of fires and accidents, propane tank explosions, and medical emergencies. The homeless avenue outreach PATH Groups and social staff have been there and supplied assets and entry to shelters, however have been banned from additional visits by the individuals there. As well as, there’s out there area in native shelters for these residents to start the method of discovering secure housing.
No matter whether or not it’s substandard rental housing or improvised dwellings at encampments, the Metropolis can not enable such dwelling conditions that aren’t secure for the people residing there and are detrimental to the well being, security, and welfare of the Metropolis of Lansing. We proceed to work with businesses on expanded shelter capability and programming, and proceed to work to offer extra inexpensive housing choices all through the Metropolis to assist get individuals into secure properties.
Metropolis of Lansing Spokesperson Scott Bean, July 25, 2025.
