Eviction, Rent, And Utility Payment Help is Available

As of September 7, 2021, the federal ban on evictions ended. If you are a renter unable to pay rent, you may now face eviction. 

There is help for residents of Detroit, Highland Park and Hamtramck! Local protections against eviction and money for rent & utilities are available. If you are facing eviction or just behind on rent, money is available through the Covid-19 Emergency Rental Assistance Program (CERA). We can help you get caught up. 

 

Here is how to get help!


There are two ways to apply:

  1. Online at https://ceraapp.michigan.gov/
  2. Call Detroit Eviction Helpline at (866) 313-2520, ask for a navigation appointment

You MUST show up to your virtual court hearing if your case is in court. Lawyers will be available in the courtroom. Two local protections on eviction apply:

  1. Tell the judge if you have a CERA application to get a 45-day temporary hold on the eviction
  2. If your landlord does not have a Certificate of Compliance you can use this as a legal defense

If you do not have a safe place to sleep for the night and need emergency shelter call CAM at 313-305-0311.

 

HOW LONG WILL THE CERA PROGRAM OPERATE?

At some point in the next few months, the CERA rental assistance program will stop taking new applications once enough applications have been received to spend all the program funds. A specific date for closing the application portal has not yet been determined. More applications will be received than there will be funding for, so some applications will not be able to be processed. The portal closure date will be posted on this site at least two weeks prior.

PRIORITIZATION OF HOUSEHOLDS

The federal Emergency Rental Assistance (ERA) Program requires a prioritization of assistance for households with incomes less than 50% of area median income or households with one or more individuals that have not been employed for the 90-day period preceding the date of application. The City of Detroit is currently operating in alignment under MSHDA guidelines. MSHDA has implemented this prioritization by reserving 70% of CERA/ERA program funds for these households as well as allowing the full 15-months of assistance. Households that are not within this priority group are only eligible for 13-months of assistance.