Can Detroit keep funding its eviction defense program?

April 21, 2026

Detroit's Right to Counsel program, which provides free legal representation to low-income tenants facing eviction, has dramatically increased tenant representation from 4% in 2022 to 94% in 2025. However, the program faces an uncertain future as its current funding sources—including American Rescue Plan Act money and state grants—are set to expire, with approximately $3 million available through June and $4 million in state funds on hand. Mayor Mary Sheffield's administration is actively seeking additional state and philanthropic funding to maintain the program at current capacity through year's end, as it currently supports about 18 staff members at one organization alone and served over 8,600 tenants in 2025.

Who is affected

Low-income Detroit tenants facing eviction (8,655 received full representation in 2025)
Kenya Henry and Savannah Thomas (specific tenants who received assistance)
Single women heading households (identified as majority of beneficiaries)
18 staffers at Lakeshore Legal Aid (plus 11 funded by Gilbert Family Foundation)
Five organizations providing legal services through the program
Landlords in Detroit eviction cases
Detroit neighborhoods and community stability
Chief Judge William McConico and 36th District Court operations

What action is being taken

The Right to Counsel program is operating out of room 417 in Detroit's 36th District Court
Tenant advocates from various agencies are walking courthouse halls
Lawyers are speaking to clients and representing tenants in eviction hearings
The program is providing full legal representation to eligible tenants
The Sheffield administration is requesting $3 million from the state
State Sen. Mary Cavanagh's team is working with Right to Counsel on a $1.5 million application
The administration is seeking additional state and philanthropic dollars
Executive Director Diamond Conley is communicating with Detroit City Council members about potential fundraising and surcharges for filing fees
Gilbert Family Foundation is working with a third-party consultant to assess the first three years of the Detroit Eviction Defense Fund

Why it matters

This program represents a fundamental shift in the balance of power in Detroit eviction proceedings, addressing a historic disparity where only 3% of tenants had attorneys compared to 85% of landlords before the pandemic. The legal representation helps prevent homelessness for thousands of families, with a 2025 report finding that 73% of cases involved properties without required certificates of compliance and 14% involved tenants without water or heat. Beyond individual case outcomes, the program contributes to neighborhood stability by helping tenants and landlords reach agreements that keep people housed rather than creating transient communities. The potential loss of funding threatens to reverse progress made over the past three years and could leave vulnerable Detroit residents—predominantly single women with families—without the legal protection and resources they need to avoid eviction and homelessness.

What's next

The program aims to operate at current capacity until at least the end of this year
Executive Director Diamond Conley is focused on developing a solid funding strategy over the next eight months
The program plans to make current dollars "stretch as much as we can" (though exact end date is an internal conversation)
Gilbert Family Foundation will announce future support decisions after completing their third-party assessment (timing not yet determined)
Final payments from Gilbert Family Foundation's initial grants are scheduled to be disbursed this year
The city is exploring fundraising options, philanthropic options, and state funding options
Discussions are ongoing about adding surcharges for filing fees at 36th District Court to create a funding pool for the program

Read full article from source: bridgedetroit.com