Proposed Michigan Law Would Establish Homeless ‘Bill of Rights’

A Governing article by Ben Orner describes the effort to create a ‘bill of rights’ for unhoused people in Michigan, introduced by state Representative Emily Dievendorf.

“The goal of her bill, she told a House subcommittee Thursday, is to create a ‘bare minimum’ by ‘establishing a measure of humanity for unhoused residents.’ It ensures, regardless of someone’s housing status, equal access to public services, including rights to personal property, to emergency medical care and to move freely in public spaces.”

The bill, HB 4919, also includes right to equal treatment by government agencies, the right to schooling for homeless youth, and freedom from discrimination in employment.

According to Dievendorf, homeless people are often the target of “stereotypes and assumptions” that make conditions more unsafe for them. The article adds, “HB 4919 is a major part of Democrats’ efforts this year to tackle housing discrimination and high rents. Dievendorf told MLive in August she expected 15 to 20 bills on housing inequality this fall.”

Two other bills introduced in the state legislature would “require landlords to refund application fees for prospective tenants whose applications were denied” and “generally prevent landlords from considering a rental applicant’s criminal record.”