Grand Rapids Mayor Proposes Garage Conversion Plan

The mayor says allowing homeowners to convert garages to dwelling units could alleviate the city’s housing shortage.

1 minute read

April 15, 2025, 8:00 AM PDT

By Diana Ionescu @aworkoffiction


Converted garage to housing unit in London, UK.

A converted garage in London, United Kingdom. | janecampbell21 / Adobe Stock

Grand Rapids, Michigan Mayor David LeGrand is proposing to legalize accessory dwelling units (ADUs) in the city, pointing to garages as one potential option for boosting the city’s housing supply.

Grand Rapids needs over 14,000 new housing. units by 2027 to accommodate its population growth, notes Waleed Alamleh in an article for Fox 17. “The city plans to support the process of turning garages into Accessory Dwelling Units in the coming months, offering a potential solution to the housing crisis in Grand Rapids.”

One resident supported the concept, saying, “There are a lot of homes in Grand Rapids with detached garages that are ripe for that opportunity. And I've seen it done in lots of other cities around the country, like LA Seattle, which been a very successful way to increase the housing stock.”

Tuesday, April 8, 2025 in Fox 17

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Wastewater pouring out from a pipe.

Alabama: Trump Terminates Settlements for Black Communities Harmed By Raw Sewage

Trump deemed the landmark civil rights agreement “illegal DEI and environmental justice policy.”

April 13, 2025 - Inside Climate News

High-rise apartment buildings in Waikiki, Hawaii with steep green mountains in background.

Study: Maui’s Plan to Convert Vacation Rentals to Long-Term Housing Could Cause Nearly $1 Billion Economic Loss

The plan would reduce visitor accommodation by 25% resulting in 1,900 jobs lost.

April 6, 2025 - Honolulu Civil Beat

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

April 10, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

A line of white wind turbines surrounded by wheat and soybean fields with a cloudy blue sky in the background.

Wind Energy on the Rise Despite Federal Policy Reversal

The Trump administration is revoking federal support for renewable energy, but demand for new projects continues unabated.

April 15 - Fast Company

Red and white Caltrain train.

Passengers Flock to Caltrain After Electrification

The new electric trains are running faster and more reliably, leading to strong ridership growth on the Bay Area rail system.

April 15 - Office of Governor Gavin Newsom

View up at brick Catholic church towers and modern high-rise buildings.

Texas Churches Rally Behind ‘Yes in God’s Back Yard’ Legislation

Religious leaders want the state to reduce zoning regulations to streamline leasing church-owned land to housing developers.

April 15 - NBC Dallas