Local volunteers join weeklong build to expand affordable housing on Lansing’s south side
LANSING — About 100 women volunteers from the capital region have gathered this week to work on two houses along Valencia Boulevard, part of Habitat for Humanity Capital Region’s annual Women Build and a broader effort to add affordable housing to Lansing’s south side.
The two homes under construction are components of a planned 10-home development in the neighborhood. Volunteers have been cutting, measuring and installing flooring as construction advances, Habitat officials said. The Women Build activities are scheduled to continue through Friday, while Habitat expects the full 10-home development to be completed by 2030.
Organizers say the weeklong event brings together civic groups, corporate teams and individual community members to accelerate construction while spotlighting housing affordability needs in the city.
- Who: Roughly 100 women volunteers plus local groups and members of the public
- What: Two homes under construction as part of Women Build; 10-home development planned
- Where: Valencia Boulevard, south side of Lansing
- When: Women Build continues through Friday; full development expected by 2030
One of the future homeowners, Edward Smith, said he has struggled to find affordable housing in the current market and called the opportunity to own a Habitat home meaningful. He described the day’s work and the volunteers with gratitude.
"It's really important, especially in these times, because as you can see, even though the new builds and housing market is down, the prices have gone up. I am just really excited. Today is a good day."
Smith added that seeing volunteers at his future home made the experience more personal: "I know the women are working right now, and I can't wait till they catch a break so I can hug them and say hi to all of them."
Why the project matters to Lansing
Habitat for Humanity’s work in Lansing arrives amid a tighter housing market statewide and locally, where new construction and resale prices have created barriers for many households. While the broader housing market has cooled in some respects, price increases remain a barrier to homeownership for low- and moderate-income residents.
For Lansing’s south side, the 10-home development represents both an immediate increase in affordable-home inventory and a potential longer-term benefit if it stabilizes neighborhood homeownership rates and attracts further investment in services and infrastructure. Habitat’s model — pairing volunteer labor with subsidized mortgages for qualifying homeowners — aims to lower upfront costs and provide a pathway to generational equity through homeownership.
Project details and community participation
Habitat for Humanity Capital Region coordinates construction, volunteer scheduling and homeowner selection according to its program guidelines. The Women Build initiative is specifically designed to highlight women in the building trades and volunteer leadership. Local businesses and service organizations often sign up to provide skilled volunteers, materials, or financial support for these builds.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Volunteer count (approx.) | 100 |
| Homes currently being worked on | 2 |
| Total homes planned | 10 (development) |
| Estimated completion for full development | 2030 |
City residents interested in volunteering or learning more about Habitat’s work can contact Habitat for Humanity Capital Region directly. Organizers say ongoing community involvement will be important to sustain the build schedule and support future homeowners through orientation and post-purchase programs.
As construction continues this week on Valencia Boulevard, the project provides a visible sign of local civic engagement and one practical response to Lansing’s housing affordability challenges.
