HELP IS HERE! Check out the flyers and the public service announcement to make sure you know how to connect with FREE legal representation if facing eviction.

Detroit Right To Counsel Coalition invites you to the Peoples’ Bills Press Conference at Spirit Plaza, Mon, Sept 18 at 10AM.

We advocated in support of the MI Supreme Court amending the landlord tenant court rules. On Sept 7, 2023, the court adopted new rules that will go into effect on Nov 6, 2023.

Highlights include:

• The summons (a notice to appear in court) must include information telling the tenant they have a right to counsel.

• The summons must inform tenants about the availability of rental assistance and resources through the MI Dept of Health and Human Services, and other resource agencies.

• The court must inform tenants of the right to counsel and the availability of rental assistance through an advice of rights at the first hearing.

• If a tenant applies for rental assistance within 5 days of receiving the advice of rights, there is an automatic stay/pause on proceedings for at least 14 days.

• The court must allow a person to appear using “video technology” or in other words, to appear virtually.

These additional procedural changes acknowledge the necessity for tenants to have legal representation and easier access to the courts and housing resources to prevent eviction!

We are doing a "Slam Eviction Open Mic" to raise awareness about the eviction crisis in Detroit and how we can bring this systemic injustice to an end. Nearly 25,000 Detroit families faced eviction last year, and eviction court orders have increased by 136% this year, with single Black mothers being evicted more than anyone else.

This event was inspired by and created with our young leaders! Detroit's youth, young adults, and artists are an essential and pivotal part of the movement for housing justice!

Please come on out and support!

How much are our lives valued by the City of Detroit? We believe that Detroit families' lives matter. Nearly 60,000 Detroiters, primarily black women, and children, will face eviction if the Right to Counsel Ordinance is not fully funded.

Join us Monday, April 10, 2023 to tell Mayor Duggan and Detroit City Council to:

• Fully fund the Detroit Right to Counsel Ordinance now!

• Please don't lie to us and say there's no money when Detroit has a 2.6 billion dollar budget, a $156 million budget surplus, and received over $826 million in federal ARPA funds to help Detroiters recover!

• Fully funding Right to Counsel would be less than 1% of the City Budget! Prioritize Detroit families first!

• Budget $27 million for the Detroit Right to Counsel Ordinance now!

• We passed a law - now follow it and give Detroiters their right to legal counsel!

Detroit Right To Counsel Coalition needs your support at the Detroit City Council Budget Hearings! Hearings are March 27, 2023 and April 10, 2023. Join the fight for FULL FUNDING of the Right To Counsel Ordinance.

Tell Mayor Duggan & City Council to Give Us Our Money For Our Housing Needs.

For Right to Counsel, we want the City to appropriate $12 million NOW, and budget $27 million for NEXT YEAR.

Evictions are on the rise again. 10% of Detroit’s population is expected to face eviction this year

It’s time to put a STOP to this eviction problem, and fully fund the Detroit Right to Counsel Ordinance.

The Michigan Supreme Court is proposing amendments to MCR 4.201 that would protect renters! Please submit a comment supporting and urging the MI Supreme Court to adopt those proposed amendments. Click “Read More” for links and info to make your comment.

END OF OCT 2022 + NOV 1: Demand that Detroit Fully Fund & Fully Implement Right to Counsel Ordinance. Starting now through November 1, 2022, please do one or more of the following actions.

"Right To Counsel Teach-In" by the Wisdom Institute

Wed, May 25 @ 5:30 pm. The teach-in will focus on what Right To Counsel is, what it means for the community and housing justice, the Detroit Right To Counsel Coalition’s values, and breaking down the ordinance's requirements and next steps for full implementation.

Passing the Detroit Right To Counsel Ordinance is a huge victory for our community!

Our most vulnerable Detroit residents will now have the benefit and dignity of receiving legal representation when facing eviction. As a result of this, we know that thousands will stay in their homes. The Detroit Right To Counsel Coalition thanks our coalition members, Detroit City Council and Detroit City Council President Mary Sheffield, and every Detroit resident and ally who stood together in this fight for justice.

Detroit tenants, organizers, lawyers, politicians, and researchers gathered for this informative and exciting community meeting SUPPORTING Right To Counsel! Detroiters facing eviction deserve legal representation.