Lansing will use miniature housing pods, like those seen here in Portland, to help address homelessness. Advocates say they could be a tool if the city uses them to transition people into long-term housing. (Craig Mitchelldyer/Associated Press)

LANSING, Mich. (AP) — As local governments across Michigan attempt to balance the growing need for homeless services with community concerns, one is planning a novel approach: mini housing pods.

The city of Lansing last month approved the purchase and storage of 50 modular housing units — called ModPods — for $640,000 from a Kalamazoo nonprofit that had given up plans to use them in that community.

It will cost local taxpayers another $750,000 a year to upkeep the mini homes, and they won’t be ready to use this winter when temperatures drop to le

See Full Page