Inform, Entertain, Inspire
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Jackson considering ordinance to help renters in unsafe housing

Kurt Bauschardt
/
Flickr - http://j.mp/1SPGCl0
Credit Kurt Bauschardt / Flickr - http://j.mp/1SPGCl0
/
Flickr - http://j.mp/1SPGCl0

The city of Jackson is considering a new ordinance to protect tenants if their housing is declared unsafe.  

Officials say the city has been taking on the responsibility of finding and even sometimes paying for temporary housing for renters when inspectors declare their regular housing unsafe, in some instances to keep people from becoming homeless.

But they say it's really the offending landlord's problem for not fixing things like bedbug infestations or fire hazards in a timely manner.  

The new ordinance will require the offending landlord to pay for the temporary housing for tenants, for up to three months.  The city will locate short-term housing for five days, for which the landlord will reimburse it.  After that, the landlord will be required to find housing for the displaced residents.

Tenants will have the right of first refusal to move back in once the housing is declared safe to live in again.

State landlord tenant law does not address such situations.

Copyright 2019 Michigan Radio

Tracy Samilton covers the auto beat for Michigan Radio. She has worked for the station for 12 years, and started out as an intern before becoming a part-time and, later, a full-time reporter. Tracy's reports on the auto industry can frequently be heard on Morning Edition and All Things Considered, as well as on Michigan Radio. She considers her coverage of the landmark lawsuit against the University of Michigan for its use of affirmative action a highlight of her reporting career.