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

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