Monthly Archives: March 2020

(March 31, 2020 10:55 PM) April 1 is rent due day for many apartment residents.  If you’re concerned about what will happen if you can’t pay your rent, state and federal government have taken several steps to help. Governor Gretchen Whitmer issued an executive order on March 20 temporarily halting evictions for nonpayment of rent through April 17. The order allows tenants and mobile home owners to remain in their homes and allows courts to delay eviction-related proceedings. The governor has also extended the tax foreclosure deadline. The Department of Housing and Urban Development announced that its suspending all evictions and foreclosures until the end of April. The Federal Housing Finance Agency directed Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to do the same for a minimum of 60 days. The CARES Act puts a 120-day eviction moratorium in place nationally for tenants in properties that are part of government programs or that have a federally-backed mortgage loan. The National Multifamily Housing Council put out a release asking apartment owners and landlords to halt evictions for renters who were experiencing job loss or reduction in income due to COVID-19. The council went on to request a 90-day pause on all rent increases. The council asked its member landlords…

JTV Photo (March 31, 2020 7:14 PM) The Michigan Department of Education (MDE) announced today it will request a federal waiver of statutory and regulatory requirements in the Child Nutrition Programs, in accordance with federal guidance. The Michigan Department of Education is requesting the waiver on behalf of all Child Nutrition Program sponsors determined to be in good standing in the state of Michigan. “The need for nutritious meals does not take a break during a public health emergency such as COVID-19,” said State Superintendent Dr. Michael Rice. “In fact, the need for healthy meals heightens due to factors beyond the control of Michigan families. Allowance of additional sites will ensure that children who receive meals from these programs have access to the nutrition that is needed.” MDE is seeking to request a statewide waiver to allow all participating Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) sponsoring organizations, as well as current National School Lunch Program (NSLP) sponsors, the option to serve and receive reimbursement for open meal sites that do not meet the 50 percent or more free or reduced priced eligibility requirement during times of unanticipated school closures. Child Nutrition Program sponsors do not need to request exceptions from the…

(March 31, 2020 4:28 PM) The Michigan Department of Attorney General has denied a request from a well-known craft and hobby retailer that asked the office to agree that its storefronts should remain open during the Stay Home, Stay Safe executive order.   Attorney General Dana Nessel’s office on Monday sent a letter to JoAnn Fabrics indicating the business’s storefront operations should be temporarily suspended while Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s order remains in place. The order was issued to protect the public health and welfare of Michigan residents and reduce person-to-person contact whenever possible due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).  Two change.org petitions are online calling for the retailer to close storefront operations.    One of the petitions has gained over 10,000 signatures as of Tuesday afternoon. JoAnn Fabrics has a store location on Wisner Street in Jackson. “I can appreciate the desire of businesses that want to remain open and provide their customers with the same products and services they have come to expect from these retailers, but there must be common sense protections in place during this global health emergency,” Nessel said. “Employees should be permitted to work from home whenever possible and businesses that are not necessary to sustaining or protecting life should comply…

(March 31, 2020 3:24 PM) As Michiganders face challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the State of Michigan has launched the COVID-19 Response and Recovery Initiative to accept monetary donations to support critical services.  Funds will be distributed through the State Emergency Operations Center established process, based on critical needs. Donations will be allocated to provide food and water, education support for children, and other essential activities as needs are identified.   Donating to the Michigan COVID-19 Response and Recovery Initiative will help leverage federal resources, including FEMA funds, that require a match. Donations of any size can be made by credit or debit card.  “Michiganders are stepping up and taking heroic actions across the state to help each other during this public health emergency. We want to give residents and businesses an opportunity to help lift others up through the support of essential services and needs,” said Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist.   “Whether you give your time, talent, financial support, or other resources, everyone can stand tall and contribute in some way. We will get through this together.”  A secure online donation with the Michigan Department of Treasury can be made by visiting www.michigan.gov/fightcovid19 and clicking donations.  Information around this outbreak is…