The City of Detroit announced that residents facing eviction in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic can now sign up to get free legal defense and rental assistance.
On Wednesday afternoon, Mayor Mike Duggan held a press conference updating Detroiters on eviction assistance, Connect 313’s technological initiatives, and the city memorial dedicated to those affected by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
Hoping to ease the concerns of citizens facing evictions, Duggan spoke confidently on the city’s efforts to help the community.
“We are going to do everything we can to slow the onrush. We do not want folks displaced from their homes if there’s any way we can help it,” said Duggan.
Duggan collaborated with Governor Whitmer, state legislation, the HAND network, Southwest Counseling Solutions, and the Department of Housing and Revitalization and acquired an additional six million dollars for a total of 11 million for tenant assistance.
Starting Thursday, citizens can call 866-313-2520 or visit detroitevictionhelp.com. Residents earning up to 100% of AMI through the State of Michigan Funding and households earning up to 80% of AMI through the City of Detroit Funding will be provided legal representation if necessary. Relocation assistance and help with rental arrears are also available to those in need.
Duggan participated with a panel of representatives from Detroit ACE, Rocket Mortgage, the United Way for Southeastern Michigan, and the Office of Digital Inclusion.
The panel focused on various societal issues highlighted by COVID-19. With help from Rocket Mortgage and the United Way for Southeastern Michigan, Duggan touched on the technological impact many have felt since COVID-19.
“I’m a great believer that talent is spread evenly across this country, but what is not spread evenly is opportunity,” said Duggan. “The Internet has the chance to level that, but what has happened in practice is exactly the opposite.”
Recognition of the negative impact digital exclusion has on disadvantaged communities encouraged Rocket Mortgage CEO Jay Farner to launch the Changing the Course initiative “to address the nearly 30% of households in the city that don’t have broadband access” by way of the Rocket Mortgage Classic. The anticipated 2 million dollars raised during the event will go towards ending the digital divide in Detroit.
Described as a “mission-critical” partnership, Connect313 is a collaborative effort between Rocket Mortgage and the United Way for Southeastern Michigan designed to increase the inclusivity of digital platforms across communities. UWSEM CEO Dr. Darienne Driver Hudson, ED.D spoke on the digital divide some Detroiters face.
“We take for granted having access [to technology]. There are a lot of people in our community that don’t have this, and so this partnership, this investment in our community, is right on time,” said Hudson.
Further investment into Detroit’s citizens is the declaration of August 31st as Detroit Memorial Day, an acknowledgment of those impacted by COVID-19. The two-day citywide commemoration will begin on August 30th and carry on into the next day. First responders and those who have passed will be recognized with seven simultaneous memorials and The Memorial Drive on Belle Isle the following morning. Pictures will be displayed of the deceased around the island following a 15-minute bell show. The event will end with a fireworks display. Information detailing how families can send in pictures of their loved ones will be announced next week.
About Post Author
