Homelessness, Ceasefire Resolution and Fix to Behavioral Problems at the Library Discussed by HRC
Inspired the Lansing City Council’s recent decision to purchase housing pods, the East Lansing Human Rights Commission discussed the possibility of East Lansing taking similar action to aid its unhoused population.
Councilmember Dana Watson, council’s liaison to the HRC, spoke about Lansing’s plan to purchase 50 pods for unhoused citizens at the HRC’s Monday, Aug. 11 meeting. The tiny home community will contain laundry stations, bathrooms, a resource center and community spaces, WILX reported. The pods are no larger than 200 square feet.
“We’re at a place where unhoused people can be criminalized for sleeping outside and our student population is returning,” Watson said.
Watson also took aim at criticism directed towards unhoused people who spend time in the blocked off Albert El Fresco area that is rolled out during summers in East Lansing.
“My perspective is that it’s a safe space for unhoused people,” she said. “There’s food and chairs.”
Commissioner Rebecca Kasen said Lansing’s HRC equivalent led the charge on the pods, researching other communities that utilized them and proposing the idea to the Lansing City Council. The process took two years from conception to fruition, she said.
“It’s transitional so they won’t be there forever,” Kasen said. “But it’s going to give them time to find services and housing.”
Watson wondered if East Lansing has some responsibility to replicate its neighbor’s efforts.
“We can learn from them and replicate their best practices,” she said. “This is more than just a City of Lansing issue.”
HRC members hope city will consider a new ceasefire resolution.
In Dec. 2023, the HRC submitted a resolution to City Council calling for a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas conflict. It was rejected in a 4-1 vote after hours of emotional discussion. At yesterday’s meeting, the HRC discussed bringing a new ceasefire resolution to City Council.
“More people are dying and [Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin] Netanyahu is continuing on his quest,” Watson told the HRC. “Even the Israelis are protesting. People are afraid to take a step in the right direction if you ask me.”
Watson said the 2024 federal election losses for the Democratic Party demonstrated voter frustrations with Democrats who refuse to condemn Israeli military actions. She asked the commission if they plan to revisit the ceasefire. Vice Chair Karen Hoene said she has “no faith” that the City Council will “do the right thing.”
“The really big difference between now and 18 months ago,” Commissioner Tina Farhat said, “is that federally everything has changed in our country. And it’s not moving towards reconciliation. It’s becoming much worse.”
Kasen, however, recommended the commission try again. She said that while the local resolution might not change anything on the federal level, “if a few people know they are safe and they belong here, we’ve done our job.”
The commission ultimately decided it will revisit the resolution in September to update it, with hopes council will consider it at an October meeting.
HRC discusses potential fix for behavioral issues at ELPL.
Kasen also requested help from the commission on a grant the Women’s Center of Greater Lansing, of which she is director, is applying for. If it receives the grant, the women’s center will use the funding to address behavioral issues taking place at the East Lansing Public Library after school.
“Our research shows that these students are mostly [East Lansing] residents,” she said. “They are not school of choice. They’re our kids and it really stems from there not being a lot of things to do after school. And the library doesn’t kick the kids out.”
The grant would provide an on-site licensed therapist and restorative justice specialist in addition to a leadership training class and incentives to participating students. The grant application requests $105,000 and includes the library, city, and school district as partners.