Residents of Leland House in downtown Detroit were notified that the building could be shut down due to a $43,000 unpaid bill to DTE Energy connected to an ongoing Chapter 11 bankruptcy case. Nearly 60 units may be affected, and resident Paul Kearns told the Detroit Free Press, “I'm flabbergasted. It's not fiscally possible. It's not physically possible to make this happen on Wednesday. Where are they going to put us?” The city’s law department, involved in the bankruptcy proceedings, has received approval to work with tenants on relocation plans as the property also faces issues with overdue taxes and its unapproved rental status.
On Tuesday afternoon, there was a possible solution when the attorney for Luis Ramirez, representative of The Leland, confirmed that new financing had been secured. Nathan Resnick told WXYZ that an alternative lender could provide the funds needed to prevent the power shutoff if approved by a bankruptcy judge at a hearing on Thursday at 11 a.m., saying, "The financing will pay the funds to DTE that are required to be paid by Thursday December 4 to continue power at the building for all the residents and to operate the Leland."
Residents of Detroit’s Leland House faced possible eviction after a power shutoff notice tied to unpaid utility bills, but DTE Energy signaled flexibility, with spokesperson Amanda Passage stating, “Any customer – whether residential or business, large or small – experiencing financial hardship is encouraged to contact us as soon as they believe they will be unable to make a payment, so we can work together on the best solution for their situation,” as per Detroit Free Press. City officials said the Housing and Revitalization Department had already been preparing alternative housing options since November, offering assistance with costs such as first month’s rent and security deposits. As tensions rose, family members like LaShell Warner voiced frustration, saying, “This is sad, you know what I’m saying? Because I’m pretty sure that the property managers are OK in their homes. You know, while these tenants here are struggling to find a home,” as mentioned by CBS News Detroit. Both the city and DTE Energy said they are working to ensure tenants are not left without shelter.
