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DEARBORN, MI - Today, Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (MI-12) sent a letter to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Secretary Marcia Fudge and Michigan State Housing Development Authority expressing concerns for the sudden evictions of residents from the Huron Heights and Huron Ridge Apartment complex in Ypsilanti, MI following devastating flooding in the area.

The Huron Heights and Huron Ridge Apartment complex is a low-income housing complex that participates in U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) program. Residents are currently expected to vacate their units, with zero information on alternative housing, and the property also shut off all utilities and transferred those accounts back into the property’s name without authorization.

Rep. Dingell, who visited the complex this past weekend, wrote, “I would also like to understand HUD’s involvement with the Huron Heights and Huron Ridge Apartment complex, the process in determining the quality of living conditions of these properties, and what actions are being taken by both HUD and the Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) to ensure issues are addressed, including:  

1. What are the damage response protocols after a disaster event, such as a flood, for properties participating in the RAD program? Are requiring all tenants to vacate, suspending all gas and electric services and locking them out of the mailboxes part of these protocols? 

2. What steps is HUD taking to ensure Huron Heights and Huron Ridge is following proper policies and procedures in addressing flood damage and alternative housing for affected tenants?  

3. What are HUD’s current determinations on the living conditions of the Huron Heights and Huron Ridge Apartments?   

4. What actions has HUD undertaken to ensure the continued quality of life and dignity of Huron Heights and Huron Ridge tenants?   

5. What steps is HUD taking to ensure Huron Heights and Huron Ridge offers fair and transparent lease agreements for tenants, that requirements for lease agreements do not place excessive burden on tenants, and that these agreements do not infringe on the tenants’ rights or lease obligations?”

Dingell continued, “I am deeply concerned about what I witnessed firsthand and the alarming stories that continue to be shared with my office. The coldness and indifference being shown to these residents during these very challenging times is unacceptable. Elected officials across Washtenaw County share similar concerns and are working hard to provide temporary shelter to help impacted individuals.”

Please click here to view the full letter.

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