An eviction can have dire consequences for individuals and families, the
most serious being the potential threat of homelessness. It can mean uncertainty about the future,
instability with employment or school, and an obstacle for future rental
opportunities. Stable housing not only
provides a sense of security, it leads to success in other areas of life:
maintaining employment, establishing permanency for children at home and in
school, and creating a sense of community and self-worth.
The city of Grand Rapids is committed to the issue of equal access to
affordable housing and the benefits associated with individuals avoiding being
displaced from their residence. The city
reached out and partnered with the Department of Health and Human Services
(DHHS), the Salvation Army, and the 61st District Court. All entities were immediately on board with
the mission of preventing eviction and, through a lot of hard work, the Eviction
Prevention Program (EPP) was created. The
city of Grand Rapids accepted generous grant awards totaling $300,000 to
support this program: the Steelcase
Foundation and the Grand Rapids Community Foundation each committed $50,000 per
year for a three-year period for staff dedicated to EPP. The EPP team developed a plan of action modeling
some of the procedures being used in similar programs at the 62B and 8th
District Courts and launched in January 2018.
It has already provided more than $16,000 in assistance to approximately
17 households.
EPP is designed to help those who have steady income but who may have
fallen on hard times such as decreased hours at work, medical care or injury,
home or car repairs, caring for a sick family member or child, or any of the
other curve balls that may come one’s way. Currently, EPP days are scheduled twice a
month with either the Honorable Jennifer L. Faber or the Honorable Michael J.
Distel. A Salvation Army and a DHHS
staff member are on site during landlord-tenant hearings to prescreen
individuals and determine eligibility for State Emergency Relief funds or any
other available assistance.
If it appears the tenant qualifies, then the parties meet to see if an
agreement can be reached. Participation
in the program is voluntary; plaintiffs/landlords must agree to the terms. If an agreement is made, then the parties
enter a stipulated order of conditional dismissal. The case is dismissed without prejudice on the
record and the parties continue to work with Salvation Army and DHHS to achieve
the target goal: prevent the tenant from being evicted and get the landlord their unpaid rent money.
If for some reason the tenant is unable to secure funds for the amount
stated in the order, the plaintiff files an Affidavit of Default with the court
and a money judgment and writ of eviction are simultaneously entered. Both the Affidavit of Default and Conditional
Dismissal forms are preprinted and available at the courthouse.
The program is still in its infancy, but the players are optimistic
about its likelihood for success. Some
challenges include streamlining the check-in process, educating the parties and
attorneys about the program, and prescreening tenants before their hearing
date. The team holds quarterly meetings
and with each EPP docket the process continues to improve. Eventually the program will be expanded to the
entire bench on any landlord-tenant hearing date. Successful outcomes facilitate payment for the
landlord and stable housing for the tenant. This is a winning combination that benefits
the parties, their families, and the community.
