LANSING, Mich (WZMQ) – Michgian renters are pushing for lawmakers to pass legislation that has been sitting in committee for over a year.
The State House of Representatives is back in session for lame duck now that the election has passed and protesters have had a constant presence at the capitol. Multiple different groups have come to the Capitol this week, pushing Democrats to pass legislation before they lose control of the house in January.
The advocacy group The Rent is Too Damn High has been pushing for regulations on rental prices, landlord powers, and a renter’s bill of rights. Last September, the group hosted the largest gathering of organized renters in Michigan since the 80s. Hundreds of renters pushed for legislation that has now been stuck in committee for over a year. Julie Vandenboom, media relations coordinator with the group said they’re holding out hope that relief will come.
“This is our best shot. We’ve got the trifecta for a few more days. This is our best chance to get those bills passed.” Vandenboom said. “There’s nine housing bills there [in committee] right now that would really increase the renters rights and would make life easier for folks who are renting here in Michigan. It’s now or never. There’s 3,000,000 renters in Michigan, and we need some relief.”
Representative Emily Dievendorf has been a loud and proud voice in the legislature for renter’s rights. Dievendorf said there needs to be a wide approach to addressing Michigan’s housing crisis, emphasizing the importance of acknowledging the concerns of protesters before the end of the year.
“I remain resolute that we need to approach this housing crisis with a comprehensive response and that means making sure that we are looking at expanding zoning, making sure that we are resourcing our folks who are already right now unhoused, and also making sure that we strengthen tenants rights to make sure that we can protect the housing folks do have but also remove obstacles to getting into housing while we make it more affordable through building,” Dievendorf said. “This housing crisis and everything we need to address it remains at the forefront because it impacts the average person. This impacts just about everybody, but that also means that the folks that were struggling prior to this housing crisis really getting bigger are struggling that much more.”
Lawmakers will have until they adjourn in December to pass any of the nine bills in committee, after which the legislation would have to be reintroduced in the House. Vandenboom said that if lawmakers fail to take action, they have little hope the bills would pass once republican leadership takes over on January 8.
