Contact Detroit City Council to Curb Evictions

Contact the Detroit City Council and tell them to vote for a FULLY FUNDED “Right to Counsel” ordinance.

Legal representation matters. When Detroit renters are in legal disputes with landlords, the fight is rarely a fair one. A recent survey of 30,000 eviction filings in the city’s 36th District Court revealed that landlords were represented by attorneys in 83% of the cases while renters had legal counsel just 4% of the time. Having an attorney by your side in judicial proceedings makes a difference and oftentimes leads to fairer results for all parties involved.

A fully funded Right to Counsel ordinance would ensure people facing eviction will be provided an attorney – at no cost – when facing their landlord in court. Anything less than full funding by the City of Detroit will leave some people without the representation they need to remain in their homes.

The current gap in legal representation is dangerously unfair, resulting in thousands of evictions a year – and families having their lives needlessly upended. Particularly hard hit are some of Detroit’s most economically vulnerable populations: children, seniors, people with disabilities and households headed by Black women.

The playing field can immediately be leveled if a proposed “Right to Counsel” ordinance introduced by Detroit City Council President Mary Sheffield with the help of the Detroit Right to Counsel Coalition, is approved. The goal is to provide attorneys at no cost to people facing eviction, forfeiture or other administrative proceedings where their housing benefits are at risk.

Contact the Detroit City Council today to tell them a “yes” vote on a fully funded ordinance that has the strong support of residents throughout Detroit.

Message Recipients:
Detroit City Council Members

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Dear Detroit City Council member,

I am calling on you to vote in favor of a FULLY FUNDED "Right to Counsel" ordinance. A fully funded Right to Counsel ordinance would ensure people facing eviction will be provided an attorney – at no cost – when facing their landlord in court. Anything less than full funding by the City of Detroit will leave some people without the representation they need to remain in their homes.

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Please vote in favor of a FULLY FUNDED "Right to Counsel" ordinance and allow Detroiters to remain in their homes.

Sincerely,

[First Name] [Last Name]
[Your Address]

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Contact Detroit City Council to Curb Evictions

Contact the Detroit City Council and tell them to vote for a FULLY FUNDED “Right to Counsel” ordinance.

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