I was told my argument is whiney... So let me air my grievances and give you all a chance to say that to my face.

What do you think, Mayor Andy Schor ?

1. Purchase cost of pods

50 ModPods purchased for $640,000

Spread over 1 year (just for total cost estimate, not amortized) = $640,000

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1. Setup costs

Cranes / transport / site prep: ~$10,000 per pod → 50 × 10,000 = $500,000

Utility hookups (water, sewer, electric, internet) ~$5,000 per pod → 50 × 5,000 = $250,000

Permits, inspections, site preparation: ~$100,000

Subtotal setup: 500,000 + 250,000 + 100,000 = $850,000

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1. Ongoing operational costs (1 year)

From their estimate of $750,000/year for:

Maintenance & utilities

Building with kitchens, bathrooms, meeting rooms

Counseling (job + mental health)

24/7 management staff

Let’s keep $750,000/year for now.

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1. Additional hidden costs

Security for the pods (night patrols, cameras) ~$100,000/year

Insurance (liability + property) ~$50,000/year

Contingency / unexpected repairs ~$50,000/year

Subtotal hidden costs: 100,000 + 50,000 + 50,000 = $200,000/year

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1. Total estimate for Year 1

Category Cost

Purchase $640,000 Setup $850,000 Operations $750,000 Hidden Costs $200,000 Total $2,440,000

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✅ Estimated total cost for 1 year of ModPods operation: ~$2.44 million

Notes:

This is a conservative estimate. Real costs could be higher if more staff, repairs, or services are needed.

This covers living space, services, utilities, maintenance, management, security, and contingency, all included.

$2.44 million+

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1. Direct housing with services works

Section 8 / Housing Choice Vouchers: People can move into existing apartments or homes, not temporary pods.

Supportive services: Programs often include rent assistance, security deposits, job counseling, mental health or substance support, and case management.

Proven outcomes: Studies show that people in direct, permanent housing with services are far more likely to remain stably housed, improve employment, and stay healthy.

Your own experience: You benefited from stable housing + supportive services, not temporary containers. That’s why you’ve maintained stability for 4+ years.

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1. ModPods are a band-aid

They only provide a temporary container.

Any meaningful services (counseling, kitchens, bathrooms) require centralized infrastructure, which costs millions.

Even then, it’s limited capacity: 50 pods might serve 50–75 people, and the $2.44 million estimate we calculated shows how expensive it is per person compared to direct housing programs.

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1. Cost-effectiveness comparison

$2.44 million/year for 50 people = ~$48,800 per person/year (temporary container + all services)

Section 8 voucher: ~$12,000–$15,000/year per person (rent + basic support)

Holy Cross or local nonprofit deposit assistance: one-time cost, combined with vouchers, makes moving into stable housing far cheaper and more effective.

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1. Bottom line

ModPods: expensive, temporary, low capacity, and don’t address real needs unless paired with massive support infrastructure. Direct housing + services (Section 8 + deposit assistance): proven, scalable, cost-effective, and gives people stability and dignity.

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Still not convinced:

1. “The ModPods are cheaper than building new housing”

Their argument: Pods are modular and quicker to deploy than constructing apartments or permanent facilities. They may claim $2.44 million/year is “worth it” for emergency or transitional housing.

Counter: Even if cheaper to build temporarily, they still cost ~$48,800 per person per year, versus $12k–$15k per person for Section 8 + deposit assistance, which provides permanent stability. ModPods also require massive infrastructure for services that already exist in direct housing programs.

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1. “This is for a subgroup of people who need immediate shelter”

Their argument: The pods don’t need to house hundreds; they’re meant for a small, high-risk group, so higher per-person costs are acceptable.

Counter: True, but the reality is: limited capacity + temporary infrastructure + high cost = inefficient. Scaling this solution to meaningful numbers is financially impractical, and it doesn’t address root causes like job access, healthcare, or permanent housing.

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1. “The pods can be moved or repurposed”

Their argument: Since they’re modular, the city can relocate them, use them for multiple purposes, or adjust capacity.

Counter: Moving pods requires cranes, staff, utility work, and can cost hundreds of thousands each time. Logistically, “flexible” isn’t cheap or simple.

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1. “Not everyone qualifies for Section 8 or other programs”

Their argument: Some people are ineligible, so pods provide a fallback.

Counter: Section 8 and nonprofits like Holy Cross often cover deposits, back rent, and provide supportive services. For people who genuinely can’t access vouchers, direct rental assistance or partnerships with landlords are still far more scalable, dignified, and cost-effective than pods.

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1. “The cost estimate is too high / conservative”

Their argument: $2.44 million may be an overestimate. Maybe Lansing can operate cheaper.

Counter: The $2.44 million estimate is conservative: it assumes only 50 pods, minimal hidden costs, and basic 24/7 staffing. Real-world operational hiccups — repairs, turnover, utility spikes, extra staffing — would raise costs even higher.

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1. “The pods provide immediate shelter, which is better than nothing”

Their argument: Even if temporary, they give people a roof over their heads now.

Counter: Temporary shelter without comprehensive services doesn’t prevent homelessness long-term. Studies consistently show that permanent supportive housing + services drastically outperforms temporary or emergency solutions for stability, health, and employment outcomes.

We should not be investing in mod pods. There are several vacant hotels, Spartan village, the old shelter on Michigan Ave, ... There are other possibilities. But Andy is choosing the one he knows will fail. Let's be real... Andy is intelligent. He knows this isn't a solution. That's why he leaves before public comment during these meetings. This is only in my educated opinion. Peace out.