Title
Resolution to Encourage Governor to Optimize Michigan Executive Order 2020-134 - Eviction Diversion Program for COVID-19-related Debtors and Reconsider Rescission of Executive Order 2020-118
Body
Whereas, The COVID-19 pandemic has caused a global public health and economic crisis;
Whereas, In Michigan alone, more than 2.1 million people are currently unemployed due business closures and slowdowns [1];
Whereas, Households impacted financially are often those who can afford missed paychecks the least;
Whereas, In Michigan, approximately 2.6 million people rent their housing [2];
Whereas, Prior to the COVID-19 crisis, 45% of Michigan renters were already financially burdened by cost of housing [3];
Whereas, Prior to the COVID-19 crisis, Michigan courts already processed 17,000 evictions per month [4];
Whereas, Ann Arbor is not immune to economic hardship and residents face similar pains;
Whereas, People in financial crisis are the least likely to have quality legal representation;
Whereas, The Governor of Michigan’s Executive Order (No. 2020-118) placing a moratorium on evictions expired on July 15, 2020 without further extension [5]; and
Whereas, Instead of continuing a moratorium on evictions, the Governor of Michigan’s has issued a new Executive Order (No. 2020-134) setting aside $60 million in CARES Act funding to cover back rent for those being evicted [6];
RESOLVED, That Ann Arbor City Council ask the Governor to extend Executive Order 2020-134 (“Eviction diversion program for COVID-19-related debtors”) for as long as necessary to prevent mass eviction and homelessness;
RESOLVED, That Ann Arbor City Council ask the Governor and Michigan Supreme Court to make access to the “Eviction diversion program for COVID-19-related debtors” as streamlined as possible for those in need; and
RESOLVED, That Ann Arbor City Council further asks the Governor to reconsider the rescission of Executive Order No. 2020-118.
Citations:
[1] https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/michigan/2020/07/02/michigan-jobless-fund-dips-below-2-5-billion-dollars-triggering-tax-hike-employers/5362554002/ <https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.detroitnews.com%2Fstory%2Fnews%2Flocal%2Fmichigan%2F2020%2F07%2F02%2Fmichigan-jobless-fund-dips-below-2-5-billion-dollars-triggering-tax-hike-employers%2F5362554002%2F&data=02%7C01%7CSHiggins%40a2gov.org%7Cdfc8bbb09fd54d2dae2608d82a513ea8%7C48afa58563754170b9d1e9c568bb92f3%7C0%7C0%7C637305875714654350&sdata=9qPyy6gRSbVDRmURXWdr9yqVZugbETin%2FFG8xuz1C%2F8%3D&reserved=0>
[2] https://www.towncharts.com/Michigan/Michigan-state-Housing-data.html <https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.towncharts.com%2FMichigan%2FMichigan-state-Housing-data.html&data=02%7C01%7CSHiggins%40a2gov.org%7Cdfc8bbb09fd54d2dae2608d82a513ea8%7C48afa58563754170b9d1e9c568bb92f3%7C0%7C0%7C637305875714664294&sdata=2f1E6W3dzgnbim5HNUvGOdP5LFlnGwmiw4OErvSyA4o%3D&reserved=0>
[3] https://www.michigan.gov/documents/mshda/MSHDA-Statewide-Housing-Needs-web_653602_7.pdf <https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.michigan.gov%2Fdocuments%2Fmshda%2FMSHDA-Statewide-Housing-Needs-web_653602_7.pdf&data=02%7C01%7CSHiggins%40a2gov.org%7Cdfc8bbb09fd54d2dae2608d82a513ea8%7C48afa58563754170b9d1e9c568bb92f3%7C0%7C0%7C637305875714664294&sdata=xqOLZIvsknKZs%2BZw7BWE7C3dVFNCnMft1ElYfktIvGc%3D&reserved=0>
[4] https://www.michiganradio.org/post/state-supreme-court-prepares-help-renters-when-eviction-moratorium-expires <https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.michiganradio.org%2Fpost%2Fstate-supreme-court-prepares-help-renters-when-eviction-moratorium-expires&data=02%7C01%7CSHiggins%40a2gov.org%7Cdfc8bbb09fd54d2dae2608d82a513ea8%7C48afa58563754170b9d1e9c568bb92f3%7C0%7C0%7C637305875714674266&sdata=pceX5k8Jfgf3aS6DKKS57s02JtjU0WO4yTQmDt8oQVw%3D&reserved=0>
[5] http://www.legislature.mi.gov/documents/2019-2020/executiveorder/pdf/2020-EO-118.pdf <https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.legislature.mi.gov%2Fdocuments%2F2019-2020%2Fexecutiveorder%2Fpdf%2F2020-EO-118.pdf&data=02%7C01%7CSHiggins%40a2gov.org%7Cdfc8bbb09fd54d2dae2608d82a513ea8%7C48afa58563754170b9d1e9c568bb92f3%7C0%7C0%7C637305875714644392&sdata=5z%2FBf5R%2BS1t3DkP3kz8%2FyDggMfuq3hLakXCOv0vGgqQ%3D&reserved=0>
[6] <https://content.govdelivery.com/attachments/MIEOG/2020/06/26/file_attachments/1482995/Executive%20Order%202020-134.pdf>
Sponsored by: Councilmembers Ackerman and Hayner