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Residents and advocates press council on deed fraud, Leland tenants seek access to units
Summary
During public comment the council heard multiple residents and advocates describing deed fraud, title concerns, and ongoing problems at the Leland building — including broken doors, alleged break‑ins, disputed security and a pending mediation — and were told city partners such as Lakeshore Legal Aid are providing clinics and legal help.
A prolonged public-comment period on March 17 featured multiple residents and housing advocates who urged swifter action on deed fraud, property-title protection and a landlord/management dispute at the Leland building.
Councilmember Mary Waters opened a series of presentations recognizing local volunteers and legal partners teaching Detroiters how to protect their property records. Waters noted a city outreach program partnered with title professionals and Lakeshore Legal Aid and encouraged residents to use services including monthly "home for generation" clinics and consultations about instruments such as ladybird deeds.
During in-person public comments, Leland residents described breaches of security and repeated break-ins that left tenants worried about theft and the safety of their possessions. "There are photos of the cracked door that was breached and then the door being opened over the weekend," Gerald Stewart said, asking the council to expedite access so tenants can retrieve belongings.
Another tenant said mediation was scheduled and cited disputed estimates for urgent temporary repairs; one commenter said the city cited a $200,000 generator cost while the building owner said repairs could be done for a smaller sum. Several residents asked the council to coordinate with the Law Department, Corporation Counsel and the Land Bank to expedite tenant access and to confirm whether the city would cover security and generator costs.
Lakeshore Legal Aid and other partners were recognized for volunteer legal support and for offering regular clinics to help residents understand title, probate and fraud prevention. Councilmembers responded during the meeting: members said the city had offered to pay certain costs and urged the involved parties to come together to reach an expedited solution, noting mediation scheduled for the day after the meeting.
Next steps: council members said they would follow up with the law department and relevant agencies and urged residents to provide detailed contact information to permit casework and follow-up by staff.
