By TNCPNEWS Staff
The Lansing Housing Commission (LHC) and the Capital Area Transportation Authority (CATA) have announced a partnership aimed at increasing transportation access for Lansing residents, particularly seniors and individuals with mobility challenges.
One of the first initiatives under the partnership is a dedicated transportation service for residents of Capital City Apartments, an LHC community serving older adults and people who require additional mobility support. Residents who need transportation assistance can contact their community office to schedule free local rides seven days a week between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. The service began on April 27.
The transportation service is operated and managed by the Lansing Housing Commission, while funding for the vehicle was provided through CATA’s participation in the Federal Transit Administration’s Section 5310 Enhanced Mobility of Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities Program. The federal program is designed to support transportation options for older adults and people with disabilities when traditional public transit services may not fully meet their needs.
“We are always looking for ways to improve our residential experience,” said Doug Fleming, executive director of the Lansing Housing Commission. “Providing quality affordable housing is just the beginning of our mission. We want to ensure that the individuals and families we house are living full, independent lives.”
Fleming noted that many senior residents at Capital City Apartments do not have access to personal vehicles and that transportation has become an increasingly important need.
Transportation plays a critical role in quality of life, especially for seniors and individuals with disabilities. Reliable transportation can help residents attend medical appointments, access grocery stores and pharmacies, participate in community activities, maintain social connections, and remain independent longer. Studies have consistently shown that transportation barriers can contribute to social isolation, missed healthcare appointments, and reduced access to employment and essential services.
CATA Chief Executive Officer Bradley T. Funkhouser emphasized the connection between housing and transportation.
“Transit and housing are deeply interconnected,” Funkhouser said. “When mobility resources are coordinated with where people live, it strengthens community connections and expands access to opportunity. CATA is proud to support the Lansing Housing Commission with investments that help residents stay mobile, engaged and connected to the services they rely on.”
The partnership comes as the Lansing Housing Commission prepares to welcome residents into its first newly constructed housing developments in more than two decades. Riverview 220 and Grand Vista Place, located across from the CATA Transportation Center in downtown Lansing, represent a combined $41.2 million investment in the community.
Together, the developments add 118 housing units to downtown Lansing’s housing inventory. Of those units, 111 are designated as affordable housing, while seven are market-rate apartments.
LHC is currently working through the resident qualification process and expects occupancy at Grand Vista Place to begin in mid- to late May, followed by Riverview 220 in early June. To further support mobility and access, each new resident moving into the developments will receive a complimentary 31-day CATA bus pass.
The collaboration reflects a growing recognition that affordable housing and transportation must work together to support residents’ overall well-being. While housing provides stability, access to transportation helps residents reach employment opportunities, healthcare services, educational programs, and community resources that contribute to long-term success and independence.
LHC and CATA officials say they will continue exploring additional opportunities to expand transportation access and improve services for residents throughout the Lansing community.
The Lansing Housing Commission serves families and individuals through public housing and rental assistance programs while also connecting residents with educational opportunities, health resources, youth programming, and other services designed to strengthen financial independence and quality of life.
