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Legislative Updates Housing Justice Earlier this month, along with three Senate colleagues, I introduced a bill package addressing housing justice issues. For years, Michigan residents have been suffering due to inflating rents and eviction notices, and while we found some relief during the pandemic with the short-lived eviction moratorium and COVID Emergency Rental Assistance Program, there is still so much work that needs to be done to deliver housing justice for our communities. It’s time we stand up for low-income residents, seniors, and those with disabilities, and permit local governments to create housing policies and programs that fit the needs of their communities. This bill package highlights the need to provide local governments with the ability to create rent stabilization programs to assist seniors and people with disabilities. Specifically, Senate Bills 718 and 719 limit rent to no more than 50% of a tenant’s income if they have a disability or are over the age of 70, and if they have lived in an apartment building for five or more years. Senate Bill 715 would require the Michigan State Housing Development Authority to develop and distribute best practice guidelines for assessing the needs of older adults who have been displaced by increased rents in residential revitalization projects or converted neighborhoods. The last bill in the package, Senate Bill 717, would amend the way our state determines Area Median Income (AMI). Currently, AMI is developed by broader regions, but this bill would require that AMI be developed for municipalities so cities with a poverty rate of 20% or higher can enact policies that provide truly affordable housing.
Last week, I joined colleagues in the House and Senate to introduce legislation that would help Michiganders affected by extreme, more frequent weather events caused by climate change. Our bold policy proposals seek to better protect Michigan residents amid the massive storms, flooding, and power outages that have, over the past few years, become more commonplace, illustrating a clear need for investments in jobs, weatherization, and infrastructure upgrades. Too many Michiganders have lost furnaces, water heaters, cars, and cherished mementos due to basement flooding, dam breaks, and intense storms. The bills that we are introducing are bold, commonsense policies to ensure Michigan becomes climate-resilient so that when our children grow up, they won’t have to deal with the devastating impacts of these severe weather events. My bill, Senate Bill 747, would create the Michigan Climate Resiliency Corps Act, housed within the Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy, to partner with local governments, nonprofits, universities, tribes, and businesses to employ Michigan residents in climate resiliency projects such as rain gardens, tree planting, and bioswales. The bills also include a weatherization jobs program, efforts to make our road infrastructure more resilient, a disaster assistance navigator program, emphasis on the need for a strong emergency alert system, and ensuring water systems have redundancy plans. This legislation is part of the Climate Resilience Plan we unveiled in August and coincides with the deadline for affected residents to apply for flooding assistance from FEMA. We continue to work with environmental, labor, government, and community stakeholders on more bills as part of the Climate Resilience Plan. For more information on the specific bills in this package, please visit my website.
Upcoming Events Friday, Nov. 19, at 10:30 a.m. — Virtual Coffee Hour Thursday, Dec. 2, at 6:30 p.m. — Virtual Economic Justice Townhall
Stellantis Air Quality Violations This past Monday, Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib, Detroit Councilmember- Elect Latisha Johnson, and I sent a letter to the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE) urging them to hold Stellantis accountable for their recurring air quality violations at the Mack Complex in Detroit. The facility received violation notices in September, October, and November. Our residents’ health and quality of life must be prioritized and protected. Beniteau Street residents, in particular, have experienced headaches, nausea, respiratory problems and more due to the expansion of the facility. The environmental injustice at play here cannot be ignored. EGLE should ensure a strong fine and a supplemental environmental project that includes home repair, a voluntary relocation effort, and a donation to the city’s public health fund. To view a copy of the letter, visit my Facebook page.
Gordie Howe International Bridge Project Traffic Update The Michigan Interchange component of the Gordie Howe International Bridge project plans to move into the next phase of construction very soon. Phase two will include the reopening of the Springwells and Livernois Street bridges, an extension of the service drive closures and the closure, and the demolition and reconstruction of other road bridges in the area. The project team recognizes these changes will affect the traffic patterns for residents, businesses and visitors to Southwest Detroit. The Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority will be hosting two meetings for business owners and surrounding residents to hear their concerns and feedback about traffic changes. Both meetings will be conducted via Microsoft Teams: Monday, Nov. 22, 2021 from 6:00-7:00 p.m.: Southwest Detroit Business Consultation Meeting For more information on how to register, please call 1-844-322-1773 or email info@wdbridge.com. For information about active road closures, visit the project website.
Disability Network Turkey Giveaway The Wayne County Disability Network is giving away 50 free turkeys on Tuesday, Nov. 23, from 2 to 3 p.m., at the Samaritan Center. For more information on how to register and pick up a turkey please visit their website.
CNS Healthcare Turkey Giveaway CNS Healthcare will be giving away 1,000 turkeys on a first-come, first-served basis on Saturday, Nov. 20, at 10 a.m. at 2900 Conner Avenue (near the Detroit Police Department 5th Precinct station). There is a limit of one turkey per household (adults only, photo ID may be required). Thank you for reading this update. As always, please do not hesitate to contact my office at (517) 373-7346 or senschang@senate.michigan.gov if we can assist you in any way.
Stay safe,
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