Years of neglect catch up to Detroit’s Leland House as residents forced out - Detroit Metro Times

Detroit's Leland House Faces Uncertain Future as DTE Energy Plans to Cut Power

The historic 20-story Leland House in Detroit, once a luxury hotel turned dingy apartment building, is now on the brink of disaster. With less than a month before the holiday season, residents are being forced out due to DTE Energy's plans to cut power to the building. The utility company claims that the building's owner, Leland House Limited Partnership Company, owes a significant amount of money and is behind on their utility bills.

The situation has become dire as the building's owner struggles to pay off debts and secure financing for much-needed repairs. A consent agreement stemming from the city's lawsuit against the ownership group requires major repairs to be completed before any sale can move forward. However, it appears that this deadline may not be met, leaving residents without a place to call home.

The Leland House has been plagued by issues over the years, including broken elevators, inoperable smoke detectors, and heat exchangers submerged in water. Inspectors have found common areas with temperatures in the 40s, making it "not fit for human habitation" according to the city.

City officials are stepping in to help residents relocate, but it remains unclear how quickly they will be placed in new housing. The situation is further complicated by a state public nuisance case that has been reopened against the building's owners, despite their Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing earlier this month.

As DTE Energy prepares to cut power on December 3rd, the future of the Leland House hangs in the balance. With residents facing an uncertain future and the city pushing for action, one thing is clear: something needs to be done to address the building's mounting debt and ensure that those living there receive the support they need.

The city has been taking steps to enforce its rights as a property owner, including filing a lawsuit against the ownership group in 2023. The court order requires major repairs to be completed before any sale can move forward, but it appears that this deadline may not be met.

Meanwhile, DTE Energy is working with customers to avoid shutoffs, but in this case, their efforts appear to have been unsuccessful. The company's spokesperson claims that they are always looking for solutions to help customers find a way forward, but the Leland House situation suggests that more needs to be done.

As the holiday season approaches, the fate of the Leland House and its residents remains uncertain. Will city officials and DTE Energy come together to find a solution, or will the building be left to face an uncertain future? Only time will tell.
 
Man, this is just so sad 🤕💔...DTE Energy cutting power on Dec 3rd is like the final nail in the coffin for these people 😱. I mean, the Leland House has been having issues for years and it's crazy that they're being forced out without a place to go 🏠🗑️. The city needs to step up and help them find new housing ASAP, or at least provide some support for rent/mortgage assistance 👍. This is just not right, especially during the holidays when people should be enjoying time with their loved ones, not stressing about where they'll sleep tonight 😩💕 #JusticeForLelandHouseResidents #DTEEnergyNeedsToDoBetter #HolidayCheerNotPossible
 
🤕 my heart is breaking for these people living in such conditions it's crazy that a place like that can exist in the US and no one seems to care except city officials trying to help them relocate but still the fact that DTE Energy is cutting off power is just devastating they should be working with the owners to find a solution not kicking people out in the middle of winter 😓
 
🤔 The situation with Detroit's Leland House is really sad. It's like they're being caught in between two big companies and can't escape either way. DTE Energy needs to help these people out, they've been through so much already. And the city's efforts are good too, but it feels like they're just trying to get the building owners in line without really helping the residents. 🤝

I think what I'd love to see is some kind of compromise. Maybe DTE Energy can offer some payment plans or something to help Leland House Limited Partnership Company pay off their debts. And the city needs to keep pushing for major repairs, but also make sure these people have a place to go while they're waiting. It's not fair that they're stuck in this limbo. 🌎

It's just so frustrating when you think about it - it's like nobody's listening to each other. The residents need a safe place to live, DTE Energy needs to help them out, and the city needs to make sure everyone is held accountable. I hope someone figures something out soon, before things get any worse. 😕
 
The precarious state of the Leland House is a stark reminder of the intricate web of financial and bureaucratic complexities that can lead to humanitarian crises 🤕. It's disconcerting to see how DTE Energy's efforts to assist customers have fallen short in this instance, highlighting the need for more proactive measures to prevent such situations from arising. The city's decision to step in and help relocate residents is commendable, but it's essential that a comprehensive solution is put in place to address the underlying issues plaguing the building. Perhaps a collaborative approach between city officials, utility companies, and private investors could be explored to find a viable path forward for the Leland House and its inhabitants? 🤝
 
Ugh, have you tried those new iced coffees from Starbucks? 🤯 I mean, I love them as much as the next person, but they're so overpriced. Like, $5 for a drink that's just gonna sit on my desk and collect dust all day. And don't even get me started on the cups – they're like, super wasteful or something? 📦 Anyway, back to Detroit... I've been meaning to check out that new street art scene in the city, have you heard anything about it?
 
🤕 this is so sad for the people living there, i mean can't they just get some help from the city or maybe even a non-profit org to fix the place up? 🚧 it's not like they're asking for much, just some basic amenities and a safe place to live. and now dte energy is just gonna cut them off, that's just cruel 💔
 
I'm seriously worried about this situation 🤕. How can you just cut off power to people who are already struggling to make ends meet? The city's lawsuit and DTE Energy's attempts to help don't seem like enough to get the building back on track. I need to see some concrete plans of action from the authorities, not just empty promises. What's the timeline for this situation, and what's going to happen to the residents who are being forced out? Have there been any reports of alternative housing options or financial assistance being offered to them? We need more transparency here 📊
 
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