Survey Reveals Challenges East Lansing Seniors Face, Resources that are Needed

A lack of suitable housing and parking were among the top concerns raised by East Lansing residents age 55 and older in a survey that was distributed last year. 

On June 9, 2025, the East Lansing Senior Commission, in partnership with Prime Time Seniors and Age Friendly Communities, shared the results of the fall 2024 survey aimed at addressing seniors’ needs and concerns. The event also featured resource tables focused on addressing the problems raised in the survey.

The survey report consisted of four categories: housing, transportation, health and services. Some of the biggest concerns raised are the lack of small, affordable homes, unsafe sidewalks, insufficient handicap parking and frequent closures of the East Lansing High School track.

Although the survey found that more than 65% of respondents want to stay in East Lansing as they age, fewer than one-third feel the city has “accessible and affordable” homes. 

“I will probably need to downsize but I see no affordable option for seniors to do that. Most of us have worked hard to live in our homes as long as possible, and most wealth is tied up in homes,” one respondent wrote. “I do not wish to give a developer my hard-earned money by having to rent an overpriced apartment in which to age. East Lansing needs to develop apartment homes or ranch-style townhouses/condos that are affordable for us to purchase, and which our heirs can sell once we die.”

In the meeting, Robbie Jameson, who represents the Seniors Commission to the Comprehensive Plan Coordinating Committee, shared that this concern was realized in the comprehensive plan as well. The comprehensive plan, which is currently being updated, will help guide the city’s plans for longterm growth.

“Seniors aren’t the only ones who need these options to downsize when they’re ready.” Jameson said. “Our first responders, our teachers, our city employees and others who serve the community can’t afford to live here. That’s a problem.”

Jameson said the comprehensive plan organizers will take the survey results into consideration.

In the transportation category, sidewalk maintenance and parking availability were the two primary concerns of respondents. Age Friendly Communities member Jim Lavende pointed out these were also the two main issues raised in the 2017 Age Friendly Communities survey.

“[The city] needs to fix gaps in sidewalks.” a respondent wrote. “I use a walker and have almost fallen several times because of it. It does make me feel insecure and not want to attend.”

Lavende reminded attendees that property owners are responsible for sidewalk maintenance, to which attendees suggested the city should more frequently demand upkeep.

A lack of accessible parking has made some parts of the city inaccessible to seniors with mobility challenges. 

“I used to love going downtown East Lansing to eat and shop but it has become impossible due to the lack of parking for seniors,” one respondent wrote. 

“Would like to have a better downtown experience,” another commented. “Travelling to downtown with a disabled friend using a cane or walker is difficult. Handicap parking is inadequate… I would love to frequent downtown shops and restaurants, but it is too difficult.”

Attendees were encouraged to reach out to the city’s transportation commission to voice their concerns.

In the health category, the committee highlighted considerably positive responses on the city’s well-maintained and numerous parks. However, many respondents and attendees were frustrated by the unavailability of East Lansing High School’s track.

“The track is a really safe place to go,” Kathy Bouchard-Wyant, committee chair, said while presenting. “You don’t have to worry about traffic, about the jut in the sidewalk. It’s also a nice place for people to meet, so there’s that social aspect which we all know is very important to the health.”

Attendees pointed out that the track is often closed, even during posted opening hours. There was apparent consensus in the room over this frustration, as well as in the survey responses. 

Respondents were also mostly positives about the services offered in East Lansing for seniors, such as Prime Time. A main area of suggested improvement was increased involvement with Michigan State University, such as bringing back night classes.

Apparent throughout the survey responses and discussion was appreciation for East Lansing, as a city and community. 

“What we really heard was you all love East Lansing,” Bouchard-Wyant began the discussion by saying. “You love the city, you love MSU.”

In the open response segment of the survey, one question asked “What do you enjoy about living in, working in, or visiting East Lansing?”

“The vibrant, treefilled neighborhoods. The beautiful parks. Curbside recycling.” Wrote one respondent. Another shared that “EL is such a special place where we take care of each other and are genuinely concerned for others.”