On March 25, 2022, a right to eviction counsel ordinance, drafted in partnership with the Detroit Right To Counsel Coalition, was introduced in the Detroit City Council Planning & Economic Committee by Detroit City Council President Mary Sheffield. With the advocacy of coalition members and support from council members, we are proud to share that the Detroit Right To Counsel ordinance was unanimously voted out of committee yesterday! We are one step closer to guaranteeing a right to legal counsel for low-income Detroiters facing eviction and providing increased housing stability in our city. A public hearing before the entire council will be set.

This was a hard-won victory to get here. In juxtaposition to Mayor Duggan’s comments of supporting eviction prevention measures in his State of the City address, the City’s top lawyer, Charles Raimi, incredulously stated that he was “horrified” by the ordinance and continued to mention several unfounded claims but failed to recognize the precedent already established in other cities and states across the nation, or the immense benefits that a right to counsel ordinance can bring to Detroit residents. Raimi’s additional personal remarks ended with a request by council members for him to leave the committee hearing. Charles Raimi’s unmerited attacks on Attorney Tonya Myers Phillips and the contempt exhibited to President Mary Sheffield is yet another example of the continuous and highly publicized disrespect to Black women in front-facing positions. We condemn his actions.  Such disrespectful behavior has no place in city leadership. 

We applaud Detroit City Council President Mary Sheffield for her bold leadership in putting this ordinance forward and taking decisive action to address the housing crisis in Detroit. We also want to thank Council members President Pro Tem James Tate, Latisha Johnson, and Fred Durhall III for standing with the community and voting to move the Right To Counsel ordinance forward.  

Finally, we want to thank all Detroit Right To Counsel Coalition members, all the tenants and impacted persons who are bravely sharing their stories, and our fellow Detroiters and allies for making this possible thus far. With arms linked in the unified pursuit of justice, we will have a RIGHT TO COUNSEL and housing justice for Detroiters with your support.

Thank you!