US tenant unions challenge eviction practices and municipal responses

Housing advocates in Detroit and Kansas City are raising concerns regarding tenant protections and the use of municipal resources during evictions.

In Detroit, the Detroit Tenants Union has filed a lawsuit against the 36th District Court. The union argues that judges should not permit landlords to collect rent or proceed with evictions if a property lacks a required city certificate of compliance. Currently, only 14% of Detroit rentals are certified. While advocates claim this is necessary to ensure basic living standards, some landlords warn that restricting rent collection for noncompliant properties could lead to increased rents, property abandonment, and foreclosures.

In Kansas City, the KC Tenants Union and Decarcerate KC have accused officials of inappropriately using the REACH mental health response program to assist police during an eviction at North Lawn Apartments. Critics argue that involving mental health workers in enforcement actions could undermine public trust in services designed for de-escalation and care. Following the eviction of ten families, Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas has verbally committed to assisting displaced tenants in finding housing.