DETROIT – Residents of a downtown Detroit apartment building received notice Friday that they must vacate their homes by Wednesday due to an impending utility shutoff.
Management at the Leland House, located at Bagley Street and Cass Avenue, sent the notice to residents just one day after Thanksgiving.
The building houses 35 occupied units.
“That’s just not right,” said William Clark, resident.
“This is wrong. You can’t just kick people out in five days,” said Lacy Shelton, resident.
The building’s owner filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in early November.
Luis Ramirez of the Michael Higgins Trust, the authorized representative for the building’s owner, said the closure stems from $43,000 in unpaid bills to DTE Energy.
If payment isn’t made by Dec. 3, utility service will be discontinued.
Ramirez said they have secured financing but may not receive the funds in time.
“Our priority is the safety and stability of residents, and we are working around the clock to prevent disruption and keep the building operational,” Ramirez said in a statement.
DTE Energy said it aims to work with customers to find solutions before service interruption, including payment arrangements.
City officials are taking action to help displaced residents.
The Housing and Revitalization Department has visited the property several times.
“HRD will be assisting residents with diversion and also standing up the Stand By shelter for any households without a diversion option, if/when the utilities are shut off,” said Chelsea Neblett, chief of Housing Solutions and Supportive Services at the department.
Of the building’s 35 occupied units, the department has already connected with 21 households, representing approximately 31 residents, most of whom live alone.
Officials have contact information for 19 of these households and will continue outreach efforts to ensure all residents have safe accommodations.
Some residents have already begun moving out.
But residents like Clark are sticking around, hoping for a miracle.
“That’s all we can do is hope and pray. A lot of residents don’t have nowhere to go, period, don’t have no money saved, nothing. Fortunately, I have money saved to try to get a hotel or something, but that’s going to run out,” Clark said.