The Michigan League for Public Policy is warning that the state could see “mass evictions” if supports aren’t put in place to help renters following the coronavirus lockdown.
Governor Whitmer issued an executive order suspending evictions through April 17.
But that won’t stop rent from accruing - even for people who are unemployed because of the pandemic.
Julie Cassidy is with the Michigan League for Public Policy. She said the state should take steps to protect renters so they’ll be in a good place when the crisis lifts.
“It could be really catastrophic if we don’t have the measures in place to make sure people have housing stability, especially again for those renters.”
Cassidy said the League is advocating for a number of solutions - one possibility could be a rental freeze, another could be an extension of the state’s suspension on evictions.
“Another possibility would be to create a rental assistance fund that renters could use immediately to start making their payments while they are unemployed or otherwise suffering financial hardship.”
Doug Benson is the President of the Rental Property Owners Association of Mid Michigan. He said the group is advising landlords to work with tenants who may be struggling financially.
“The first day that the lockdown started I took a call from a waitress. She said Doug I have to let you know I just lost my job 30 minutes ago and I said that doesn’t mean you’re homeless. We’re going to help you, we’re going to work with you.”
Benson said there are a large amount of resources available to tenants to keep them in their homes.
“It might be a real smart thing for a landlord to do to see if they can be a conduit to some of that support.”
Cassidy, with the League, said federal rental assistance programs have been “grossly underfunded” and currently cover only 1 out of 4 families who qualify for it.
She said while there are undoubtedly landlords who care about the wellbeing of tenants there is a need for higher level authority to prevent evictions from happening.