Webinar Recordings
Webinar Recordings
Webinar: How to Complete Your Housing Choice Voucher Paperwork
On September 20th, 2023 the Washtenaw Housing Alliance hosted a webinar with staff from SOS Community Services to break down how to complete the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) paperwork once an applicant is off the voucher wait list as well as answer questions. This recording is available below for viewing (including with closed captioning). The presentation slide deck is also available for review by clicking here.
Questions about filling out the HCV paperwork and the documents needed can be directed to SOS by phone at (734) 485-8730.
In addition to this webinar, anyone wanting to better understand the step by step process of applying, receiving, and using a housing choice voucher can read “Shoring Up Your Housing Choice Voucher: What to Know as a Tenant” on the WHA’s Blog.
Webinar: The Eviction Process and Tenant Rights
On April 14th, 2023 the Washtenaw Housing Alliance hosted a webinar with a staff attorney from Legal Services of South Central Michigan (LSSCM) to share about the eviction process and tenants' rights in the process. This recording is available below for viewing (including with closed captioning). The presentation slide deck is also available for review by clicking here.
Clickable links referenced in the webinar:
Tenants can look up case information online at https://micourt.courts.michigan.gov/case-search/court-selection
Use Michigan Legal Help’s website for:
Housing Resources https://michiganlegalhelp.org/self-help-tools/housing
Guide to Legal Help (to find an attorney) https://michiganlegalhelp.org/guide-to-legal-help
Questions about evictions and tenant rights can be directed to LSSCM by phone at 888-665-6181 or 734-665-6181 (Washtenaw County Office) and email lsscm-info@lsscm.org.
In addition to this webinar, anyone wanting to better understand how the eviction process happens in the Washtenaw County court can watch “Your Landlord Tenant Case in Washtenaw County,” a video created by Michigan Law.
UPDATE: Landlords must give longer pre-court notices
Legal Services of South Central Michigan, after extended litigation to enforce the federal CARES Act, has established with the local District Courts that tenants facing eviction for non-payment of rent from housing that gets federal benefits must get a 30-day Demand For Possession (instead of the usual 7-day Demand For Possession) before the landlord can file an eviction complaint. This means that tenants in these buildings should get more time to make a plan to pay a rent arrearage, and could avoid court costs and attorney fees if they can pay the arrearage before the landlord files a case. Read more about your rights under the CARES Act and for an example of what the Demand For Possession should look like here.
If a tenant in housing with federal benefits gets only a 7-day Demand for Possession before the landlord files, they should tell the court that they are challenging it as invalid, and that the court should dismiss the case.
Housing with federal benefits includes:
Housing that gets site-based HUD subsidies (usually rent is based on a percentage of income).
Housing that accepts tenant-based Housing Choice Vouchers (Section 8).
Housing that has Low Income Housing Tax Credit status.
Housing that has a Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac mortgage.
For more information about the 30-day notice and/or to seek help, contact Legal Services of South Central Michigan at (734) 665-6181.