Detroit Mercy Law Housing Clinic Invites Applications from Detroit Homeowners to the Property Tax Appeal Program by March 5

University of Detroit Mercy School of Law relaunched the Housing Law Clinic in partnership with the Coalition for Property Tax Justice to help Detroit homeowners reduce over-assessed residential property taxes through the Detroit Property Tax Appeal Project. Detroiters with a primary residence worth less than $200,000 in the City of Detroit are invited to apply for a free evaluation of their taxes at https://app.propertytaxproject.com/detroit by March 5, 2025.

“Our goal is to receive over 1,000 applications,” stated Lysa Stein, director of the Housing Law Clinic. “For years, the City of Detroit has assessed thousands of homes at rates so high that they violate the Michigan Constitution, causing an epidemic of tax foreclosures. Low-income neighborhoods bear the brunt of the illegally high taxes.”

“The City of Detroit gives homeowners the right to appeal to reduce their property taxes, but it’s a difficult process,” continued Stein. “We're representing Detroit homeowners for free through that process, and we’re working on creating a toolkit that other cities can use.”

Students participating in the clinic study housing law issues and gain exposure to community advocacy through outreach and client representation. Students evaluate homeowner property tax assessments, determine homeowner eligibility for clinic services, and represent homeowners through the tax assessment appeal process.

“Clinics are an integral part of our mission of educating the complete lawyer,” stated Nicholas Schroeck, dean of Detroit Mercy Law. “Since 1965, our clinic program has evolved to support the changing legal needs of the community. The relaunching of this clinic shows our continued commitment to our mission, our students, and the community.”

“Our students provide over 35,000 hours of pro bono legal services annually,” stated Rebecca Simkins Nowak, interim dean of experiential education. “We are proud of the work they are doing in this clinic.”

Detroit Mercy Law invites assistance in notifying Detroiters about the Housing Law Clinic’s work with the Detroit Property Tax Appeal Project. Please contact Director Stein to request a pamphlet or more information at lstein@udmercy.edu.

To learn more, visit www.law.udmercy.edu.