UPDATE: The Detroit City Council is urgently debating whether to seize control of the historic Leland House, a 22-story apartment building at 400 Bagley St., as the city grapples with a worsening housing crisis. This critical discussion follows a recent emergency evacuation ordered by the fire marshal, leaving tenants barred from accessing their belongings since December.
During a heated session on Tuesday, council members voiced growing concerns over the city’s management of the Leland House, which has remained vacant since a power failure led to safety issues. Displaced tenants and housing advocates are demanding immediate action from Mayor Mary Sheffield’s administration, calling for the city to acquire the property through eminent domain or initiate nuisance abatement proceedings.
“We cannot allow another cycle of speculation or displacement,” said Steven Rimmer, lead organizer for the Detroit Tenants Union. He emphasized that while the city funds temporary housing for displaced residents, a permanent solution remains unaddressed. Rimmer argued that acquiring the Leland House could provide a much-needed option for affordable housing in Detroit.
In a stark reminder of the human cost of this crisis, tenant Katherine Guyton described the emotional toll of being denied access to her home. “This entire situation has cost me mentally, physically, and emotionally,” she said, highlighting the loss of not just her belongings, but her job and sense of stability.
Experts like Donovan McCarty, director of the Housing Justice Clinic at Michigan State University, pointed to successful initiatives in other states, such as California’s Homekey program, which repurposed hotels into permanent housing. “It’s not unprecedented,” McCarty noted, urging Detroit to take similar steps.
Under Michigan law, the city has the option of pursuing eminent domain, allowing for the acquisition of blighted properties for public use. Alternatively, the council could argue that the Leland House poses a public hazard, leading to potential foreclosure if violations remain uncorrected. However, city officials, including Conrad Mallett, Detroit’s corporation counsel, acknowledged that while seizing the property is legally feasible, it would require careful consideration of financial risks and mayoral direction.
Sheffield has yet to publicly comment on the potential takeover, but Councilmember Denzel McCampbell expressed confidence that the city will eventually gain ownership of the building. “I honestly think we’re going to get to the point where the city is going to get ownership of the building,” he stated.
The next bankruptcy hearing for the Leland House is scheduled for October 31, 2023, adding to the urgency of the situation. Many tenants remain anxious about their possessions, which include vital medical equipment and personal documents.
The city has prevented tenants from reentering the building due to safety concerns, offering professional movers instead. However, many residents are unwilling to let go of their belongings, fearing they may not be returned safely. “We don’t want anyone going through our property,” tenant Melody Richards said, echoing the sentiments of many who feel their voices are not being heard.
Council President James Tate expressed deep concern for the residents, stating, “My heart is broken when you talk about people not being able to get into their units.” Other council members have criticized the situation as a failure of responsibility, calling it “gross negligence” on the part of the property owners.
With the Leland House crisis escalating, the Detroit City Council faces increasing pressure to act decisively. The human impact of this situation is stark and immediate, as residents seek not only their belongings but also a path forward in a city struggling with a profound housing crisis.
Stay tuned for updates as this situation unfolds and the council deliberates its next steps.
