Mayor announces 3-point Eviction Prevention Program
as eviction process resumes
Mayor Mike Duggan today launched the Detroit Eviction Assistance and Prevention Program to help renters behind in rent and facing possible eviction. A federal moratorium in place since September 2020 recently ended, and the 36th District Court has resumed evictions. The plan was outlined during a news briefing Sept. 17.
The Eviction Assistance & Prevention Program is a three-point plan that includes:
Free Legal Assistance
Residents who have received a demand for rent or an eviction notice can be assigned an attorney to advise or represent them. Most cases are handled by the United Community Housing Coalition and Michigan Legal Services, but the City is recruiting attorneys to provide legal assistance to tenants facing eviction. The attorneys will be paid $350 per closed case and can apply at:www.detroitevictionhelp.org.
Access to Financial Assistance for Past Due Rent and Utilities
The City of Detroit received $130 million in COVID-19 Emergency Rental Assistance (CERA) funds, the majority of which is still available for those in need.
Fast Track Hiring for Detroiters Facing Eviction
If a resident’s inability to pay rent is a result of being unemployed or not earning enough, numerous employers have agreed to prioritize hiring through Detroit At Work.
Visit detroitevictionhelp.org or call 313-962-WORK.
Who is eligible for financial assistance?
Eligibility for receiving CERA funding is based on income and COVID-19 hardship. Residents do not have to have an active court case to apply for CERA. The City of Detroit encourages all tenants who are getting behind on rent to apply for CERA funding as soon as possible.
Plan offers assistance for landlords
The City ordinance states that evictions for nonpayment of rent may only be ordered if the landlord has a current Rental Certificate on file and a Certificate of Compliance. Earlier this year, the 36th District Court issued an order affirming that it would enforce that provision of the ordinance and would not proceed with certain evictions if the property did not have a Certificate of Compliance. To report a landlord with unsafe living conditions, call 313-628-2451. To report a rental property, go to https://detroitmi.gov/reportrental.
Landlords whose tenants are behind on rent also can file an application for rental assistance. The program makes direct payments to landlords in most cases. Landlords also can apply at www.detroitevictionhelp.org.
Landlords that don’t have a current Rental Registration or Certificate of Compliance should go to detroitmi.gov/bseed for information about how to register a rental property and get a Certificate of Compliance.
For additional information on this plan, go to detroitmi.gov/news.
City of Detroit Parks and Recreation
to celebrate grand reopening of four centers
To register for the event at Adams Butzel, go to:
Mayor Duggan, GM CEO Mary Barra announce
$50-million donation to Detroit charities
 Mayor Mike Duggan and GM CEO Mary Barra speak with WJR-AM’s Lloyd Jackson Sept. 14 about the $50- million investment GM will make to various nonprofit programs across the city of Detroit.
Mayor Mike Duggan and General Motors CEO Mary Barra announced that the automaker will invest $50 million by 2025 in various nonprofit programs to give Detroit residents greater access to education, jobs and to help strengthen the city’s neighborhoods.
GM and the City are collaborating on this initiative, as part of GM’s goal to promote sustainable solutions by supporting projects that help Detroiters learn, work and thrive.
To coincide with the investment, about 450 GM employees will volunteer at nonprofits across the city starting Sept. 20 as part of the 10th annual GM Cares Week. During that week, 100 employees will launch beautification projects in Hamtramck near Factory ZERO, formerly the Detroit-Hamtramck Assembly.
Of GM’s $50 million commitment, key grants made so far include:
- $1.25 million to support Human-I-T’s work connecting Detroiters to digital support systems including internet connectivity, devices, tech support and digital literacy skills that help people access education and employment.
- $1 million to the Detroit at Work People Plan and Community Health Corps to support a multifaceted approach to employment, health and well-being resources coordinated across the city with key agencies.
- $1 million to United Way’s Ride United, a mobility initiative that helps remove transportation barriers for workers through partnerships with on-demand ride services and United Way for Southeastern Michigan’s local social service agency partners.
- $750,000 to Beyond Basics to provide critical literacy education for students at Cody and Mumford high schools and to support adults at the Family Literacy Center at Durfee Innovation Society.
Mayor Duggan, Develop Detroit and Presbyterian Villages celebrate preservation of 53 affordable units for seniors
Mayor Mike Duggan, Develop Detroit, and Presbyterian Villages of Michigan (PVM) celebrated the completion of a $10 million renovation of The Village of University Meadows, a senior community providing homes to 53 low-income seniors in Detroit’s Woodbridge neighborhood Sept. 15.
The makeover preserves rent- and income-restricted apartments that had been at risk of conversion to market rate, with Woodbridge being one of Detroit’s most popular neighborhoods. The seniors calling University Meadows home will be able to stay in their homes without fear of displacement while future residents will be assured of affordability well into the future.
A full upgrade of the existing 53 units and all major building systems was completed, along with enhanced services and amenities to create a more functional living environment and support for residents to achieve and maintain a higher quality of living.
To learn more about the renovations at University Meadows, go to detroitmi.gov/news.
Department of Public Works adds 700 speed humps
to 2021 program to make more streets safer
The City of Detroit recently announced a second round of speed hump installations for 2021, bringing the total for this year’s program to 5,200.
Due to maximizing resources allocated to the 2021 speed hump program and continued resident demand, DPW will expand the speed hump program to an additional 460 blocks and 700 speed humps across the city through November 15.
The speed hump program is being run by the Department of Public Works. Residents have until September 22 to petition to opt-out from having a speed hump installed on their street.
Residents can find out what blocks were selected by visiting the City of Detroit website at:
https://detroitmi.gov/departments/department-public-works/complete-streets/traffic-calming
For more information on the program, go to detroitmi.gov/news.
45,000 Detroit families get connected through emergency internet program; City encourages more to apply
The City of Detroit is among the top cities in America in getting its residents signed up for emergency benefits to help them access the Internet, City officials announced Sept. 9.
Since the Federal Emergency Broadband Benefit (EBB) Connect 313 program launched in May, more than 45,000 Detroit households are receiving $50 per month stipends to help pay their internet bill or access to internet-ready devices. That translates to more than $2 million in internet services every month to close the digital divide in Detroit.
The EBB program is slated to run at least through the end of 2021, so there is still time for Detroiters to sign up. The EBB is limited to one monthly service discount or one device discount per eligible household. Residents can get started and determine if they are eligible by calling (313) 241-7618, or by visiting https://getemergencybroadband.org.
Connect 313 is a collaborative social good initiative comprised of residents, corporations and community organizations all committed to empowering Detroiters with quality computers, reliable internet, and personalized technology support. To join the Connect 313 movement check out the website at www.connect313.org. |
