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 Mayor Andy Schor announced that the Mayor’s 20th Annual Senior Activities Fair will be held as a drive-thru event on Thursday, August 27, 2020, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Schmidt Community Center parking lot (5825 Wise Road).
Seniors can participate by driving through the Schmidt Community Center parking lot to pick up a free boxed lunch and an informational grab bag.
Vendors may participate in the event by providing information and/or giveaways for the grab bags.
This year’s event is sponsored by Michigan State University Federal Credit Union, C2AE and Lansing Board of Water & Light.
All staff will be wearing masks and participating in proper sanitation procedures.
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Rental Assistance Available for Ingham County Residents
Financial help for tenants and landlords impacted by pandemic
A collaborative of nonprofit housing service providers announced a rental assistance program designed to keep Ingham County residents who fell behind on their rent during COVID-19 in their homes. The Eviction Diversion Program is being administered by Holy Cross Services in partnership with Advent House Ministries, Capital Area Housing Partnership, Legal Services of South Central Michigan and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services – Ingham County.
“No family should have to worry about losing their housing during a global health pandemic,” said Sharon Dade, Director of New Hope Community Center at Holy Cross Services. “The Eviction Diversion Program will ensure families can stay safe in their homes while helping landlords receive the back rent they are owed with the expiration of the eviction moratorium.”
Under the Eviction Diversion Program, rental assistance will be made available in the form of lump sum payments to landlords in exchange for allowing tenants to remain in their homes. Tenants whose back rent is not completely covered by the program will be entered into manageable payment plans. Ingham County received over $2 million in federal Coronavirus Relief Funds from the state of Michigan to assist tenants and landlords for rent due beginning March 1, 2020.
Eligibility for rental assistance payments will be structured based on the tenant’s income. A tenant’s income must be less than 100% of area median income. For an individual in Ingham County, area median income is $56,200 and for a family of four in Ingham County, area median income is $80,200. Tenants below 50% area median income will be offered case management services to help connect them with other beneficial programs and services.
For more information or to participate in the rental assistance program, tenants and landlords may contact Holy Cross Services at (517) 657-8145, Monday-Friday from 9:00am-5:00pm or via email at evictions@hccsnet.org.
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MSHDA Eviction Diversion ProgramAs the protections from evictions have ended under the Governor’s Executive Order, please note that MSHDA has set up an Eviction Diversion Program, which will provide financial assistance to tenants facing eviction based upon failure to pay rent. Please go to the State’s website for further details: https://www.michigan.gov/mshda/0,4641,7-141-5555-533463--,00.html. |
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We want to hear from you!
Please complete the survey below to provide your input that will be considered by the City of Lansing and individuals assisting the City in developing a Racial Justice and Equity Plan and assessing police reforms: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/TZPVGC7
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Lansing School District announces 100% Screen to Screen Instruction for Pre-K to 12th Grades
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Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed Executive Order 2020-143 closing indoor service at bars throughout most of lower Michigan to protect the progress Michigan has made against COVID-19. Regions 6 and 8, which include the Upper Peninsula and much of northern Michigan, are excluded from the order, and bars statewide can continue to serve outdoors. The governor also signed a package of bills allowing cocktails-to-go at bars and restaurants to help these businesses serve more Michiganders during this time. Executive Order 2020-143, takes effect at 11 pm 7/1/2020. Read more at https://bit.ly/2VwwDZR and find the latest data, information, and #COVID19 news in Michigan at Michigan.gov/Coronavirus. |
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Governor Whitmer signed Executive Order 2020-164 which requires face coverings to be worn in all child-care centers and camps. Michigan has seen COVID-19 outbreaks at these locations, adding to the mounting evidence that children can contract and spread the virus. By requiring face coverings, child-care centers and camps can remain open while keeping children and staff members safe.
Executive Order 2020-164 requires all staff and children ages 2 and up to wear a face covering on a school bus or other transportation. Additionally, all staff and children ages 4 and up must wear a face covering in all indoor common spaces. All staff and all children 12 and older are required to wear a face covering when in classrooms, homes, cabins, or similar indoor small-group settings. The governor also strongly encourages that all children ages 2 and up wear face coverings when indoors. These rules align with the existing rules on face coverings that already apply to preK-12 schools across Michigan.
If a child-care center is located in a region in Phase 5 of the MI Safe Start Plan, face coverings are not required, but are still strongly recommended. Furthermore, face coverings are not required for any child who cannot medically tolerate it, during meal time, while swimming, during high-intensity activities, outside while physically distanced, or if a child is under the age of 2. |
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Governor Gretchen took action to elevate Black voices in state government, signing Executive Order 2020-163, which creates the Black Leadership Advisory Council. The governor also signed Executive Directive 2020-9, recognizing racism as a public health crisis and taking initial steps to address it within state government. Under the Executive Directive, the governor asked MDHHS to make health equity a major goal, as well as required implicit bias training for all state employees.
The COVID-19 pandemic has revealed, confirmed, and highlighted the deadly nature of pre-existing inequities caused by systemic racism. For example, in cases where race and ethnicity is known, the rate of reported COVID-19 cases for Black/African American Michigan residents is 14,703 per 1,000,000, compared with 4,160 per 1,000,000 for white residents, more than three times higher. And the rate of reported COVID-19 deaths for Black/African American Michigan residents is 1,624 per 1,000,000 compared with 399 per 1,000,000 for White residents, more than four times higher.
The Council will act in an advisory capacity to the governor and develop, review, and recommend policies and actions designed to eradicate and prevent discrimination and racial inequity in Michigan. To accomplish this goal, the Council is charged with: - Identifying state laws, or gaps in state law, that create or perpetuate inequities, with the goal of promoting economic growth and wealth equity for the Black community.
- Collaborating with the governor’s office and the Black community to promote legislation and regulation that ensures equitable treatment of all Michiganders, and seeks to remedy structural inequities in this state.
- Serving as a resource for community groups on issues, programs, sources of funding, and compliance requirements within state government in order to benefit and advance the interests of the Black community.
- Promoting the cultural arts within the Black community through coordinated efforts, advocacy, and collaboration with state government.
- Providing other information or advice or taking other actions as requested by the governor.
Under Executive Directive 2020-9, data documenting differences in health outcomes among racial and ethnic groups in Michigan must be collected, analyzed, and made publicly available to help leaders implement equitable policies. Additionally, departments must understand how racial disparities in societal, environmental, and behavioral factors intersect to affect access to resources like good jobs, access to healthy and affordable food and housing, equitable transportation options, and quality public education |
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MI Safe Schools Return to School Roadmap Governor Gretchen Whitmer released the MI Safe Schools Return to School Roadmap, a comprehensive document to help districts create local plans for in-person learning in the fall. The Roadmap outlines a number of safety protocols for schools to implement in each phase of the governor’s MI Safe Start Plan. The governor also signed Executive Order 2020-142, which provides a structure to support all schools in Michigan as they plan for a return of PreK-12 education in the fall. Read more at https://bit.ly/2VyR20b and find the latest data, information, and #COVID19 news in Michigan at Michigan.gov/Coronavirus. |
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Secretary of State Branch Offices to Reopen June 1 by Appointment OnlySecretary of State Branch Offices to Reopen June 1 by Appointment Only; Updated renewal mailers will provide additional information on easiest means of conducting transactions
Secretary of State branch offices will reopen June 1 by appointment only for essential transactions not available online in order to continue to balance the need to provide critical services and protect public health.
“While the offices were closed to the public we conducted more than 3,000 emergency appointments for essential workers and planned and implemented protocols so that we could reopen in a way that ensures the safety of employees and all Michiganders,” said Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson. “Customers can be confident they’ll be able to conduct their business with us safely and efficiently.” For more information: https://www.michigan.gov/coronavirus/0,9753,7-406-98163-530310--,00.html |
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Governor Whitmer Announces Plans for Police Reform to Promote Racial Equity Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced her support for a series of policy plans for police reform in Michigan, calling on Michigan law enforcement agencies to enhance their training and policies to help create a police culture where all Michiganders are treated with dignity and respect under the law. Governor Whitmer also voiced her support for measures that require law enforcement officers to complete training on implicit bias and de-escalation techniques, and applauded the Senate for taking up Senate Bill 945, sponsored by Sen. Jeff Irwin, which addresses many of these issues. The governor also urged police agencies to require their officers to intervene when they observe an excessive use of force by another officer, which will save lives and help to keep people safe.
“The deaths of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, and Breonna Taylor were a result of hundreds of years of inequity and institutional racism against Black Americans,” said Governor Whitmer. “Here in Michigan, we are taking action and working together to address the inequities Black Michiganders face every day. That’s why I'm calling on Michigan police departments to strengthen their training and policies to save lives and keep people safe. I am also ready to partner with the Michigan Legislature and law enforcement officials to pass police reform bills into law.”
“We recognize the shortcomings of the systems in place today—systems that have left Black, Latino, and other communities of color feeling underserved, even threatened by law enforcement,” said Lt. Governor Gilchrist. “People across Michigan have been calling for changes to police practices, and these actions are clear steps in the direction of needed reform. We are not done, and we strongly encourage cities and counties to adopt and enact local measures that build trust, accountability, and a comprehensive, non-discriminatory experience of safety for everyone in our state.” |
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Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed Executive Order 2020-139 to rename the state-owned Lewis Cass Building in downtown Lansing to the “Elliott-Larsen Building,” honoring the legislators who sponsored Michigan’s landmark civil rights act. The legislation was introduced by Republican State Rep. Melvin Larsen and Democratic State Rep. Daisy Elliott in 1976 and was signed into law by Governor William Milliken in January of 1977. This change marks the first time in Michigan history that a state building is named after an African-American woman. Read more at : https://bit.ly/2BrWeMH. |
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The City of Lansing has extended the deadline for proposals for a new public art piece to be located in the northeast corner of Reutter Park in downtown Lansing. The Lansing Economic Area Partnership (LEAP) awarded the City of Lansing a Public Art for Communities 2020 Placemaking Grant to support the installation of permanent public art in Reutter Park at the corner of W. Kalamazoo Street and S. Capitol Avenue to enhance the area’s economic vibrancy and sense of place. The Public Art for Communities program is funded by LEAP with support from the PNC Foundation. The request for proposal (RFP) is open to all professional artists and/or artist-led teams based in Michigan, with priority going to artists located in the City of Lansing and tri-county region. Pursuant to the City of Lansing Public Art Guidelines, the City of Lansing Public Art Committee will designate an Art Selection Panel to review the submissions and select the finalist. It is anticipated that a decision will be made by late August/early September Press Release:
The City of Lansing is participating in the National Mayor's Challenge for Water Conservation, presented by the Wyland Foundation and Toyota, and we need your help to make our city the most water wise in the nation!
Please consider taking one minute out of your day to visit www.mywaterpledge.com.
You will not only be helping our city win, but you will also be helping us do our part in protecting the planet.
Press Release: https://bit.ly/39Ep6y1
Mayor Andy Schor announced the promotion of Judy Kehler to serve as Lansing’s next Chief Strategy Officer (CSO). As CSO, Kehler will continue to look at short-term expenditures and long-term debts, as well as review and evaluate other processes within the City to make recommendations for improvements as necessary.
Press Release: https://lansingmi.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?CID=8
Robert Widigan has been appointed by Mayor Schor to serve as the Finance Director for the City of Lansing. Widigan will manage the Finance Department, oversee short-term and long-term fiscal planning and operations of the City, prepare revenue projections and debt service requirements, evaluate department operations, among other tasks related to the City’s financial health.
Press Release: https://lansingmi.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=432
Nicholas Tate will serve as the City of Lansing’s Deputy Mayor for Operations and Chief of Staff effective July 1, 2020. Tate will oversee all internal operations including management of Mayor’s Office staff and Department Directors, as well as resolving day-to-day issues, including finance, labor, human resources and others that arise within city government.
Press Release: https://www.lansingmi.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=428
Chief Daryl Green and Mayor Andy Schor announced new traffic stop guidelines for all LPD officers to follow. Officers will no longer pull people over for secondary violations such as a cracked windshield or air freshener hanging from the rearview mirror. This is based on feedback and input from residents about what they want from their police department. It eliminates bias, implicit or otherwise.
More Information: Document
Social Justice & Equity Community Action Proposals: The proposals include immediate action steps, next steps and long term planning that will involve many community conversations and opportunities for input.
The document can be found here
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 Join us in taking part in the National Mayor’s Challenge for Water Conservation going on now through August 31st!
It only takes one minute to help our city win, and every drop counts.
Click here: www.mywaterpledge.com to take the pledge.
Additional info: https://bit.ly/3gfNckT.
@wylandfoundation
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Coronavirus Testing- No Out of Pocket Expense (Free) No Appointment needed. Drive Up or Walk Up
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The Census is Convenient, Confidential, and Critical.
10 Minutes 9 Questions Determines Funding for the next 10 years!
The City of Lansing is currently at a 66.6% response rate.
The U.S. Census Bureau produces timely local data that are critical to emergency planning, preparedness and recovery efforts.
It's so important that we take 10 minutes to respond to 9 simple questions that will deliver 10 years of benefits to our community.
The public is strongly encouraged to respond to the 2020 Census online using a desktop computer, laptop, smartphone, or tablet, and can also respond by phone or mail.
More info: lansingmi.gov/1860/Be-Counted-Lansing-2020-Census
Complete the 2020 Census: https://my2020census.gov/
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For Assistance Call 211
2-1-1 is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year in over 180 languages. https://www.mi211.org/
Referring people to 211 is the best way to connect them with services. It also allows us to track community requests for support and properly respond. |
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BWL- Free LED bulbsThe BWL is offering FREE LED bulbs and nightlights by mail! All BWL residential electric customers are eligible whether they live in a house or apartment. Request your box of bulbs today by calling 800-573-3503 or visiting lbwl.com/hometownhelp. This is a limited-time offer! |
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COVID, Commencement & Cash: Money Management for HS GradsFEC counselors can help you:
• Open a checking account
• Open a savings account
• Create a budget
• Plan for college and post secondary education
• Check your credit
• And more!
When can I go?
There are limited appointments. Schedule yours now before they are all booked.
Where is it?
We are hosting counseling sessions on video chat or phone call.
How do I schedule an appointment?
Call the FEC: (517) 449-5842
What is the Financial Empowerment Center (FEC)?
The Lansing Financial Empowerment Center is a partnership of the City of Lansing and Cristo Rey Community Center. Our trained, professional financial counselors will sit down with you one-on-one to help you achieve your financial dreams and goals. |
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CMHA-CEI COVID-19 Support LineCMHA-CEI has developed a COVID-19 Support Line available to anyone in Clinton, Eaton, or Ingham counties, Monday-Friday, from 8:30 am - 4:30 pm, at 517-237-7100. |
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Concerts in the park Grand Finale for Summer 2020 is 8/19
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Yard Waste Collection UpdateBeginning on Monday, June 15, 2020, CART will be transitioning yard waste collection from weekly to every other week.
This means that residents’ yard waste collection day will be the same as their recycling collection day. In the fall, collection will transition back to weekly collection through the end of the season.
Every other week yard waste collection will reduce the size of the collection area, stabilizing the overall collection process and reducing truck-related costs (fuel, maintenance, impacts on neighborhood streets, etc.).
To minimize impacts of every other week collection on residents, the City recommends residents mulch their grass clippings as opposed to bagging them, and compost leaves and other yard clippings if feasible. Updates are available at this LINK |
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A Community Response to Domestic ViolenceCapital Area Response Effort is a post-arrest response team that provides crisis intervention and advocacy to people who have experienced intimate partner violence. Since the rise of COVID-19, the CARE Program has had an increase in survivors seeking resources like hotel rooms and the Personal Needs Closet. Your contribution could cover the cost of someone's groceries, put gas in their car, help get their locks changed, or secure a safe place to stay. Amidst the anxieties and dangers of this public health crisis, what we all have to lean on is each other; what we have to anchor us is the strength of our community. Let survivors know that you're standing with them through this by making a donation today.
If you or someone you know is experiencing intimate partner violence, there is help available. To speak with an advocate at the CARE Program to inquire about services or make a donation, please call 517-272-7436. |
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Capital Area Housing Partnership (CAHP)Housing counselors offer free, individualized guidance, and work with clients to develop a plan to understand their options and connect with resources, helping them reach their financial goals. CAHP’s office will be closed to the public until April 6, 2020. CAHP will be open remotely during that time and answering phone calls at 517-332-HOME (4663) Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Virtual Rental Counseling Now Available
If you or someone you know has fears about paying rent, utility bills, eviction, foreclosure, debt or credit impacts please call CAHP to schedule a free virtual appointment to discuss options.
Our housing counselors offer free, individualized guidance, and work with families and individuals to develop a plan to understand their options and connect people with resources, helping them reach their financial goals.
Call 517-332-HOME (4663) to schedule a virtual appointment. Click here to learn more.
Online Homebuyer Education Workshop Available
For those with an eye on home ownership, we are offering our Homebuyer Education workshop online! The online workshop satisfies requirements for a homeownership education certificate to qualify for down payment assistance.
https://capitalareahousing.frameworkhomeownership.org/ |
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Lansing Neighborhood NewsThe Neighborhood News has returned and will include COVID-19 resources and links to the website. The City of Lansing COVID-19 website will be updated with resources daily and residents and businesses are encouraged to check the following LINK for updated information.
We are getting many calls about how we can help our neighbors during this time. We will include opportunities to help each other and resources where help is available. If you have information that you would like included, please send it to DeLisa Fountain at DeLisa.Fountain@lansingmi.gov . This emergency is changing daily and we are committed to making sure our neighbors have the information necessary to care for themselves, their neighbors, and our community.
Sign up to receive weekly Neighborhood News by email HERE
Be sure to check the Neighborhood News list and confirm in the follow up email you receive from the City of Lansing. |
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