Right to Counsel

UCHC is working to expand Michigan’s right-to-counsel laws to include eviction cases so low-income Detroiters have proper representation and the opportunity to avoid eviction and homelessness.

About Right to Counsel

UCHC Right to Counsel program for landlord-tenant disputes is a legal services program designed to ensure that low-income renters have access to legal representation when facing eviction or other housing-related legal issues. The program provides free legal representation to tenants in landlord-tenant disputes to help prevent unjust evictions, protect tenants' rights, and promote stable and affordable housing in our community.

The Right to Counsel program works with a team of experienced housing attorneys who provide legal representation to tenants in court proceedings related to eviction, unsafe housing conditions, illegal rent increases, and other housing-related disputes. The program also provides tenants with information about their legal rights and responsibilities and helps them navigate the complex legal system.

The Right to Counsel program is committed to ensuring that all tenants have access to high-quality legal representation, regardless of their income level. By providing legal representation to tenants, the program helps to level the playing field in landlord-tenant disputes and ensure that tenants are not unfairly evicted or subjected to other unjust housing practices.

The program also works to address systemic issues that contribute to housing insecurity by advocating for policy changes at the local, state, and federal levels. Through education and outreach efforts, the program seeks to raise awareness about tenants' rights and promote equitable housing policies that benefit low-income renters and other vulnerable populations.

The Right to Counsel program for landlord-tenant disputes is a critical resource for low-income renters who may not have the financial resources to hire an attorney to represent them in legal proceedings. By providing legal representation and advocacy for tenants, the program helps to promote stable and affordable housing, prevent homelessness, and protect the rights of tenants in our community.

If you need help, please call the following numbers:

UCHC main office: (313) 963-3310
UCHC Tax Foreclosure hotline: (313) 725-4560
Detroit eviction hotline: (866) 313-2520
Writ Hotline: (313) 725-4559

If you need immediate shelter, please call:

CAM Detroit: (313) 305-0311

If you have a court hearing coming up, please be sure to have these documents handy:

Complaint, summons, notice to quit, or demand for possession, and any other court papers you’ve received
Lease, land contract, or other documents setting forth your tenancy/purchase agreement.
If your housing qualifies as Section 8, you’ll need recertification documents that indicate the tenant’s monthly payment amount, move-out packet, or any other documents from Section 8 concerning the property

Receipts for rent (including money-order stubs or bank deposit receipts)
Receipts for any repairs made
Correction order from the City of Detroit Building and Safety Division (BSEED) if you have one
Photographs of any repair issues
Utility bills and receipts for payments if they’re part of your case

Any other papers concerning the property

Client Resources

Right to Counsel Impacts

The impact of UCHC’s Right to Counsel initiative includes:

Reduction of eviction rates: this program significantly reduces eviction rates. With UCHC legal representation, tenants have a better chance of winning their cases and remaining in their homes, preventing homelessness and reducing the negative consequences of eviction.

Promoting fair housing practices: this program promote fair housing practices by ensuring that tenants' rights are protected and that landlords follow applicable laws and regulations. This can help reduce discrimination and other forms of unfair treatment in housing.

Improved access to justice: this program improves access to justice by providing legal representation to tenants who may not have been able to afford it otherwise. This can help level the playing field in landlord-tenant disputes and ensure that tenants' rights are protected.

Improved health and well-being: this program improve the health and well-being of tenants by preventing eviction, reducing housing insecurity, and providing stability. This can lead to improved physical and mental health, reduced stress and anxiety, and improved economic stability.

Positive impact on the community: this program has a positive impact on the community as a whole by reducing homelessness, promoting fair housing practices, and improving access to justice. It can also help reduce the strain on social services by preventing eviction and reducing the need for emergency shelter.