LANSING, Mich. (Nov. 9, 2021) — Sens. Stephanie Chang (D-Detroit), Betty Jean Alexander (D-Detroit), Marshall Bullock (D-Detroit), and Jeff Irwin (D-Ann Arbor) today introduced a five-bill package which provides housing justice for Michigan residents facing increasing rent and evictions notices, with a particular focus on helping seniors and those with disabilities.
“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,” Sen. Chang said. “It’s time we stand up for residents with low income, seniors, and those with disabilities, and permit local governments to create housing policies and programs that fit the needs of their communities.”
The 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, introduced by Sens. Chang and Alexander, respectively, would 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.
“The ongoing pandemic has created incredibly difficult challenges for seniors and people with disabilities, and it’s the duty of our elected officials to make it easier for these families to have a place to stay with food on their table,” Sen. Alexander said. “We must stand up for housing justice because the people who are suffering the most are our friends, family, and neighbors in Detroit — I understand their pain, and it’s my duty to help.”
Furthermore, Senate Bill 715, introduced by Sen. Bullock, 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.
“Our cities are stronger when seniors are able to live in our communities, so we must not overlook their needs when we are revamping and rebuilding neighborhoods for the 21st century,” Sen. Bullock said. “Our seniors built the great cities of Detroit, Flint, Ypsilanti, and more — and they stayed when so many others fled to the suburbs. We must respect their needs and wishes and welcome them into our communities.”
Senate Bill 716, introduced by Sen. Irwin, would repeal a 1988 law that prohibits local governments from enacting policies related to rent stabilization.
“Michigan renters are seeing astronomically rising rents and unaffordable housing, and it’s difficult for our Legislature to deal with problems that differ in each community,” Sen. Irwin said. “Our local elected officials live in the neighborhoods they serve, and they know which rent stabilization policies are needed to provide housing justice for our residents. While there are many policies my colleagues in the Legislature could enact to provide housing justice, we must start with allowing our local governments to do their job and help their neighbors.”
The last bill in the package, Senate Bill 717, introduced by Sen. Chang, 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.
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