If you're renting a house or an apartment and have an issue with your landlord, what happens if you can't afford to move or hire an attorney?
While most landlords respect their tenants' privacy and maintain the homes they own, unfortunately not all do. And when there is little money to move or pay for legal advice, sometimes renters feel stuck and are unsure what to do.
A few years ago, a group of 21 organizations came together to discuss housing issues and they realized there was a lack of resources for people in this situation. The Kent County Renters' Alliance (KCRA) was born out of that discovery and opened its doors in September 2011 to offer renters free legal advice and more.
When the foreclosure crisis happened, the people who lost their homes became renters and many foreclosed homes were also converted to rental properties. Both of these factors changed the dynamics of neighborhoods and the community as a whole.
Director Kym Spring says that “between 2006 and 2009, there was a 70 percent increase in families renting single family homes -- that drove the bus.”
With this substantial increase in renters and minimal resources, she says many renters were “falling through the cracks.” Just in 2010 alone, more than 10,000 evictions went through the court system and a good number of them may have been preventable.
The mission of KCRA is “to promote fair renting practices, ensure tenant rights are upheld, and support permanent, quality, housing for all.” Their focus is on legal services, education and information, and organizing and advocacy.
No matter what their income, renters can visit KCRA on the first and third Mondays of every month from 12 - 2 p.m. to get their questions answered and receive free legal advice about landlord-tenant issues. KCRA is located inside the Steepletown Neighborhood Services building at 671 Davis NW.
No appointment is needed and renters are asked to bring in their lease and any other documentation that might be relevant. Spanish translation is also available if necessary.
Volunteer law students meet with the renters first to find out more about their situation. They make a list of questions for the attorney, who is also a volunteer. At the end of the meeting, written recommendations are given to the renter, along with a packet of information.
KCRA’s program was developed in collaboration with the Thomas M. Cooley Law School, Legal Aid of Western Michigan, and the Legal Assistance Center. Cooley provides the law students for the Monday sessions and coordinates the volunteer attorneys from around the community.
In addition to offering free legal advice, KCRA advocates for housing policy changes and encourages tenants to get involved as well. Their goal is to ensure everyone has access to safe and affordable housing. Organizers recently advocated to have all rental properties inspected and the City of Grand Rapids started doing this in July.
Resource materials to help educate renters on their rights can also be found on the organization’s website and are included in the information packet handed out to clients. One of the resources is the State of Michigan Tenant and Landlord Guide, which is a comprehensive booklet of renters’ rights. Links to other helpful nonprofit organizations are listed on the website as well.
KCRA averages around five clients each Monday they are open. So far, they’ve offered free legal advice to 155 clients since opening in 2011.
Going forward, the organization would like to find longer term funding so they can be sustainable. Since it began, KCRA has received funding from the Dyer-Ives Foundation, Grand Rapids Community Foundation, Grand Rapids Dominican Sisters, Heart of West Michigan United Way, Steelcase Foundation, and Slemons Foundation.
Currently, Steepletown Neighborhood Services acts as KCRA's 501(c)3 fiduciary organization.
More attorneys are always needed and those wishing to donate a few hours of their time each month can contact Cooley using the information below. Since Spring is the only employee, she would welcome other volunteers as well to help greet people and deliver brochures.
With free legal advice, education and training, and advocacy on behalf of renters, housing stability will improve, ensuring an abundance of healthy neighborhoods throughout our communities.
If you’d like to get involved with the Kent County Renters’ Alliance, here’s how you can:
- Visit the
Kent County Renters’ Alliance online to find out more.
- Stop by Steepletown Neighborhood Services at 671 Davis NW on the first and third Monday of every month from 12-2 p.m. to get free legal advice about your rental situation. No appointment is necessary; just bring all of your paperwork with you.
- If you’re an attorney who would like to volunteer your time, contact
Karen Rowlader at Cooley Law School.
- Donate financially to
Steepletown Neighborhood Services and indicate you'd like your money to go toward KCRA.
- Like them on
Facebook.
Source: Kym Spring, Director of Kent County Renters’ Alliance
Writer: Heidi Stukkie, Do Good Editor
Images provided by the Kent County Renters’ Alliance.