Housing & Barriers to Housing

Tribal Landlord-Tenant Matters. 

MILS staff may provide defensive representation for tenants and others in tribal court landlord-tenant cases when the tribe or tribal housing authority is the landlord or the landlord is not a citizen of a federally recognized tribe. MILS staff may represent tenants and others in tribal administrative actions related to housing issues.  

Evictions (state court).

MILS staff may provide legal assistance for individuals facing eviction in state court when other legal assistance is unavailable.  

Barriers to Obtaining Housing.

MILS staff may provide legal services for individuals who are facing challenges to housing (e.g., homeless, threatened with homelessness, living in overcrowded homes, or living in substandard living arrangements). Services to overcoming barriers to housing may include: 

1) correcting credit reports and actions under the Fair Credit Reporting Act; 

2) seeking expungement of criminal convictions in either state or tribal courts; and 

3) seeking restoration of driving privileges under Michigan law. 

However, MILS staff shall not assist with seeking expungement of sexual abuse, domestic violence, or elder abuse convictions.