The Michigan Supreme Court declined our 2017 request for a resource sheet requirement, then adopted one anyway during the pandemic.
In 2017, we asked the Michigan Supreme Court for a court rule to require each district court to develop a tenant-oriented resource sheet to include with any landlord-tenant summons and complaint. Because these cases move fast and are often closed at first appearance, the resource sheet would give tenants actionable information at the exact time they need it. Despite support from the Michigan District Judges Association, ACLU of Michigan, American Citizens for Justice, Center for Civil Justice, Lakeshore Legal Aid, Legal Services of South Central Michigan, MSU Housing Law Clinic, Neighborhood Legal Services, United Community Housing Coalition, 482Forward, Capuchin Soup Kitchen, Community Development Advocates of Detroit, Detroit Action Commonwealth, and Volunteers of America, the Court declined our request.
However, due to the pandemic, the Supreme Court adopted an interim landlord-tenant order that required the district courts to advise tenants of the availability of local assistance programs.
We're gonna take credit on this one, because some ideas take time to marinate, some unfortunately require a pandemic to get over the hump. :p
Briefs, letters, guides, and other resources tied to this action.