The City of Detroit announced today that residents facing eviction in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic can now sign up to get free legal defense and rental assistance.
With the Governor’s moratorium on evictions expiring July 16, the City’s Housing & Revitalization Department, in coordination with the State of Michigan, Southwest Counseling Solutions and the Homeless Action Network of Detroit (HAND), will provide $11.5 million to the United Community Housing Coalition’s eviction assistance program for Detroit tenants. This includes $6.4 million in State Coronavirus Relief Funds, in addition to previously allocated federal CARES Act funding. The eviction defense programs are administered by City partners at the United Community Housing Coalition (UCHC), MI Legal Services and Lakeshore Legal Aid.
Detroit residents at risk for eviction should go to DetroitEvictionHelp.com or call 866-313-2520 to start the process. After the intake form is completed, the Eviction Assistance Program will determine which resources are best suited for residents, including legal representation, rental assistance and relocation assistance. Residents that complete the online intake form will receive a response in less than 72 hours.
To be eligible, Detroit residents must meet income guidelines and have a notice to quit or a court order summons, complaint or judgment against them. Renters will qualify based on their current household income and family size.
For more information, see this frequently asked questions document from the Michigan State Housing Development Authority.
Rocket Mortgage today announced a $1.4-million investment into Connect 313, the City of Detroit's effort to ensure all Detroiters have digital access. Jay Farner, Rocket Mortgage CEO, made the announcement at the Mayor’s news briefing July 15. Farner was joined by Joshua Edmonds, the City’s Director of Digital Inclusion and Poverty Solutions Fellow, and Darienne Driver, President and CEO of United Way for Southeastern Michigan.
In June, Rocket Mortgage launched the Connect 313 Fund to support efforts to improve digital access for Detroit residents utilizing a citywide, data-driven strategy. Funds came from proceeds from the Rock Mortgage Classic, the golf tournament held earlier in July at the Detroit Golf Club. United Way will administer the Connect 313 Fund.
The goal of the City’s Connect 313 program is to help Detroiters gain access to quality devices, Internet connectivity, technical support, and digital literacy and resources for improved learning, employment, and well-being. Utilizing a data-driven approach, the first priority is to determine residents’ access to digital devices and the Internet, Edmonds said.
Connect 313 also will work with residents and organizations interested in the effort; develop neighborhood hubs with digital access; utilize ambassadors to promote the project; and financially support organizations promoting digital access.
About 30 percent of Detroit households don’t have Internet access, and 40 percent of those with cell phones do not have data plans, officials say.
For more information, go to connect313.org. To stay in the loop about Digital Inclusion in Detroit, be sure to subscribe here.
 Mayor Mike Duggan held a news briefing July 15 to discuss eviction prevention assistance, Rocket Mortgage's financial commitment to bridging the digital divide and a memorial event to honor victims of COVID-19. Speakers included (from left to right): Jay Farner, Rocket Mortgage CEO; Mayor Duggan; Joshua Edmonds, the City’s Director of Digital Inclusion; and Rochelle Riley, Director of Detroit ACE (Arts, Culture and Entrepreneurship). Other participants included Darienne Driver, President and CEO of United Way for Southeastern Michigan, and Donald Rencher, Director of the City's Housing and Revitalization Department.
The City of Detroit today announced plans for a two-day memorial event Aug. 30-31 to honor the city's victims of the global pandemic and salute healthcare workers, first responders, other frontline workers and volunteers working around the city. More than 1400 Detroiters have died from COVID-19.
Mayor Duggan declared August 31 as Detroit Memorial Day to honor those victims. The two-day celebration will begin Aug. 30 at 5 p.m. with seven simultaneous memorials co-sponsored and co-planned by City Council members in their districts. The memorial event will continue Aug. 31 with the Memorial Drive around Belle Isle, with photographs of COVID-19 victims spread out over the island.
The memorial event is being led by Rochelle Riley, the director of Detroit ACE (Arts, Culture and Entrepreneurship), along with a committee of business and community leaders, and representatives from several City departments.
The City will provide details next week on how families can provide pictures of their loved ones and how individuals can volunteer for the memorial event, Riley said.
The Detroit Department of Elections is Hiring
The City of Detroit is hiring individuals to work during the two upcoming elections on August 4 and November 3.
To apply to be a precinct inspector, individuals:
- Should be registered to vote in Michigan
- Should be 18 years or older (individuals age 16 & 17 also may apply)
- Cannot be a challenger, candidate, member of a candidate's immediate family, or a member of the local Board of Canvassers
- Cannot be convicted of a felony or an election crime
To apply, go online to detroitmi.gov/employment. For additional information, call (313) 876-0231 or (313) 876-0230.
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