RENTERS

Though often left out of the conversation, renters have been experiencing the same housing woes: Few options, extreme prices and limited timelines.

Though often left out of the conversation, renters have been experiencing the same housing woes: Few options, extreme prices and limited timelines.

The federal moratorium on evictions, which was put in place early during the COVID pandemic, expired last month and put millions of renters at risk of losing their housing.

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 state is rolling out a new online tool aimed at helping struggling renters stay in their homes.

LANSING, Mich. – The Michigan State House Development Authority (MSHDA) announced a $282 million rental assistance program meant to help tenants who are struggling due to the COVID pandemic avoid eviction. The program is also meant to ensure that landlords can recoup owed rent. The COVID Emergency Rental Assistance (CERA) program replaces the Eviction Diversion Program (EDP) that MSHDA launched in July. Landlords or tenants can apply for CERA. Tenants and landlords can also apply through their local service agency.

DETROIT – Michigan’s eviction moratorium officially expired, leaving hundreds or potentially thousands of of families at risk of being put out of their homes if they can’t afford to pay rent. In an effort to ease some of the strain, the city of Detroit was able to extend that moratorium for its residents. “If you’re working, you’ve got one set of options, but if you’re unemployed, the options change,” said Rodney Watts. Gretchen Whitmer’s statewide moratorium on evictions expired, the 36th District Court announced it would be extending that moratorium in the city of Detroit until Aug. 15. Duggan urged residents in need to visit the official Detroit Eviction Prevention Resources website.