MORATORIUM

Homeowners in Detroit who are behind on their water bill will soon face the possibility of their water being shut off as a COVID-era moratorium expires in the new year.

This week on Flashpoint, we’re talking with Wayne County Treasurer Eric Sabree, who discusses the end of foreclosure moratoriums and the important property tax deadline that’s approaching.

After a federal eviction moratorium was allowed to lapse this weekend, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a new moratorium Tuesday on evictions that would last until Oct. 3.

The issue of homelessness appears straightforward on the surface, but it is actually a complex issue that affects families and children everywhere.

Housing advocates in Europe have warned that millions of households could be at risk of of losing their homes in the coming months as rent moratoriums start to be rolled back.

In April, Michigan introduced the COVID Emergency Rental Assistance program, which helps tenants and landlords with financial aid. Michigan still has about $500 million in unspent rental assistance grants.

The nationwide moratorium on evictions is expected to expire Saturday, putting millions of Americans at risk, unless Congress extends it.

The federal moratorium on evictions is set to expire at the end of July.

The federal moratorium on evictions is set to expire at the end of July.

Michigan’s Wayne County is halting foreclosures on homes and businesses through 2022 to help those negatively affected by the economic fallout of the coronavirus pandemic.

No occupied homes or businesses in Macomb County will face foreclosure in 2021 amid the coronavirus pandemic, the country’s treasurer announced Monday.

LANSING, Mich. – Michigan lawmakers voted Thursday to prohibit water shutoffs across the state through March, reinstating a moratorium that was upended by a court ruling. Negotiations over $100 million in aid for small businesses and laid-off workers continued between the Democratic governor and the Republican-led Legislature. Whitmer had barred water shutoffs in an order last spring. “Water is a human right and, especially amid the COVID-19 pandemic, is essential to hydration, hygiene and public health,” said the bill sponsor, Democratic Sen. Stephanie Chang of Detroit. Republicans remain frustrated by the state health department's order that has prohibited indoor restaurant dining and in-person instruction at high schools while also closing entertainment venues.

DETROIT – On Tuesday, the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department (DWSD) Director Gary Brown joined Mayor Mike Duggan to announce the intention to permanently end water service interruptions in the City of Detroit. Currently, through several available funding sources, water service will be maintained for residents who do not have the ability to pay through at least 2022. And, as a former city health director and water rights advocate, I am proud to join Mayor Duggan today as he announces the city’s intention to end residential water shutoffs permanently. This also expended minor home plumbing repairs to $1,500 on average and financial assistance – opening it up to at least 5,000 more Detroit households annually. 92 percent of Detroit households regularly pay their water billsDWSD recognizes Detroit residents who are making payments on a monthly basis.

The Trump administration on Friday suspended all federal student loan payments through the end of January and kept interest rates at 0%, extending a moratorium that started early in the pandemic but was set to expire at the end of this month. By extending payments by one month, the administration is effectively leaving it to the Biden administration or Congress to decide whether to provide longer-term relief to millions of student borrowers. In announcing the extension, Education Secretary Betsy DeVos rebuked Congress for failing to act. DeVos won praise for using her authority to pause federal student loan payments in March. A federal lawsuit filed against DeVos in April alleged that thousands of overdue borrowers were still getting pay withheld despite the mortarium.

DETROIT – The 36th District Court previously issued a moratorium on evictions March 13. According to a news release, the court has now extended the moratorium to coincide with Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s Executive Order 2020-85. The temporary suspension regarding evictions will continue through June 11, 2020. During this time, as stated in the order, “this extension includes a new provision prohibiting any demand for the payment of rent that includes a demand for possession, or other threat of eviction, based on the nonpayment of rent.”Please visit, 36thdistrictcourt.org for further information and updates concerning operational changes due to COVID-19.

DETROIT – Effective immediately, the 36th District Court has issued a moratorium on evictions due to the coronavirus. “This is a difficult period for our entire community, and in an effort to avoid any additional hardship for those affected, it is important that we halt residential evictions at this time. As everyone is strongly encouraged to practice social distancing and, if applicable, self-quarantine, during this period, it would be unwise and mean-spirited to remove people from their homes until this threat has passed,” said Chief Judge William C. McConico. The court had previously announced further measures to address the threat of coronavirus. For more information on the court’s coronavirus contingency plan, please visit https://www.36thdistrictcourt.org/.