GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — City of Grand Rapids leaders are trying to solve the city’s issue of housing.
The city’s planning director, Kristin Turkelson, says data from an assessment conducted in 2023 showed that the city needs 14,000 new housing units before 2027 in order stop the issue.
The city gains only about 500 new units each year.
Because of this, leaders have been working since July to a create a plan. That plan includes several proposed zoning changes in the city.
"This is just one piece of the puzzle that needs to be addressed in order to support the creation of housing within any city, but in particular, within the City of Grand Rapids,” said Turkelson.
The proposed zone changes are eliminating the requirement that an accessory dwelling structure must be owner-occupied. They're also increasing the number of unrelated people that can live in a certain type of unit from four to six.
"What is changing, really, is the focus on how many units how much space within the within the structure, how many units within a building, can be constructed,” said Turkelson.
The reviewing process for developments like emergency shelters or transitional housing will soon be updated. City leaders are also eliminating parking requirements for certain developments or dwellings in certain areas of the city.
But those changes aren't sitting well with some residents.
Concerned residents like Patrick Tischler say he and others were shocked when they heard about these changes because they were not informed properly.
"I think that there are so many neighbors, in all parts of the city that don't know that this is happening. And they don't know that it could really impact them on their street, where they live, in more ways than one,” said Tischler.
He says the proposed changes focus on renting over home ownership, and he says that could attract more corporate investors that buy housing and increase rent prices.
“I think we need a balanced approach. Right now," said Tischler. "If these changes go through, it's going to shut a lot of first time homebuyers out of the market. And I also believe that there's probably a better way to add more housing for renters than targeting the neighborhoods."
He also says the city needs to be careful about deciding where emergency shelters are placed within the city. He and other residents have joined together to raise awareness about the issue.
Both residents and leaders say people in the city need to speak up about the problem.
A community forum was hosted on Monday at Cornerstone Church.
People who missed that forum will be able to speak at a special Grand Rapids public meeting on March 19 at Harrison Park Academy, starting at 7 p.m.
Leaders will vote on the zoning changes on April 23.
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