Michigan Gov. Whitmer extends residential eviction freeze through June 30

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D) on Thursday extended the state’s ban on housing evictions until June 30.

The extension is meant to ensure that “COVID-19-infected individuals and vulnerable populations can isolate in the safety of their homes while continuing to protect incarcerated persons in our prisons, jails and juvenile detention centers,” Whitmer said in a statement, the Detroit Free Press reported.

“These orders will ensure that we can continue to flatten the curve, avoid a second wave of infection, and protect the heroes serving on the front lines of this crisis,” the governor added.

The eviction ban was originally ordered on March 20, but it was set to expire on Thursday, which would’ve allowed evictions to resume.

The extension of the ban doesn’t change the expectation that tenants are supposed to pay rent, but it gives breathing room to tenants who are unable to do so because of the coronavirus pandemic.

The Michigan Supreme Court said that it expects a “deluge” in evictions claims when the ban finally expires.

“With this order, the court is pioneering a new approach for processing cases that protects public health and helps courts be more efficient while being more responsive to the needs of the public,” Chief Justice Bridget McCormack said in a statement.

“Getting this process right is a win-win scenario for the community and for courts,” she said.