Detroit’s Mission to Change the City’s Rental Ordinance and Hold Landlords Accountable

Detroit’s housing crisis demands urgent attention and swift action. In a city where the majority of housing stock is aged and many properties need extensive repairs, only 10% of rental homes meet the city’s inspection standards. This alarming statistic underscores the pressing need for reforms to ensure safe and habitable housing for all Detroit residents. City officials are responding with a proposed amendment to the rental ordinance. Spearheaded by At Large Council Member Mary Waters, this proposal aims to facilitate compliance for landlords, target habitual violators, and overhaul a program allowing tenants to escrow their rent if their home fails to meet safety standards. The Detroit City Council’s Public Health and Safety Standing Committee is currently reviewing this amendment, which seeks to create more quality and safe housing for Detroit residents by ensuring more landlords comply with the regulations. The Detroit Housing Resource HelpLine, a vital lifeline for tenants, has received an overwhelming number of reports from residents dealing with substandard living conditions. By early July, over 970 callers had voiced concerns about their property conditions, prompting the city to assist with relocations and intensify efforts to improve rental policies. One of the primary focuses of the proposed changes is...