(WXYZ) — The temporary freeze on evictions in Michigan is now over, prompting questions and concerns from metro Detroiters still struggling to make rent due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The thousands of eviction case filings piling up over the past few months can now be enforced, with the state's eviction moratorium expired.
For renters in Detroit still struggling to make payments, the city, along with state and other partners, is now offering free online and over-the-phone legal help, along with $11.5 million to the United Community Housing Coalition's eviction assistant program.
To qualify, Detroiters must be income-eligible – for a family of four, that's just more than $70,000 a year, and must have a court summons, complaint or judgment against them.
The state also enacted an eviction diversion program, which offers $50 million in federal CARES Act money starting Thursday in lump sum payments to landlords in exchange for allowing tenants to remain in their homes, waiving late fees and up to 10 percent of the amount due.
The program only applies to back rent accumulated during the pandemic.
Additional Coronavirus information and resources:
Click here for a page with resources including a COVID-19 overview from the CDC, details on cases in Michigan, a timeline of Governor Gretchen Whitmer's orders since the outbreak, coronavirus' impact on Southeast Michigan, and links to more information from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, the CDC and the WHO.
View a global coronavirus tracker with data from Johns Hopkins University.
See complete coverage on our Coronavirus Continuing Coverage page.
Visit our The Rebound Detroit, a place where we are working to help people impacted financially from the coronavirus. We have all the information on everything available to help you through this crisis and how to access it.