Illegal evictions in Detroit pose serious health risks for Black mothers
A study of nearly 1,500 Black women in metro Detroit found that many evictions occur without legal court orders, despite state law requiring them. These forced displacements are linked to health threats for mothers and children. The research underscores how structural racism and sexism contribute to housing instability.
The SECURE Study, led by a Detroit-based researcher, surveyed nearly 1,500 Black women aged 18 to 46 across metro Detroit, with roughly 800 reporting lifetime eviction experiences. Michigan statutes require judicial orders for all evictions, yet researchers found official court filings capture only about half of actual displacement events. Many women lacked formal leases, leaving them vulnerable to illegal removal.
Among pregnant and postpartum participants who experienced illegal evictions, more than a third ended up homeless. The study's community advisory board includes experts in human rights, healthcare, and journalism, several with personal eviction histories. Researchers emphasize that structural racism and sexism intersect to disproportionately expose Black mothers and children to housing instability and its health consequences.
This research could reshape how policymakers and public health officials understand housing instability as a health determinant. If illegal evictions are twice as common as court records suggest, communities may be underestimating the scale of displacement affecting Black mothers and children. The findings may prompt calls for stronger tenant protections, better enforcement of existing landlord obligations, and housing interventions integrated into maternal health programs. Broader awareness could also influence how cities track evictions and allocate resources for emergency shelter and legal aid, potentially reducing homelessness among vulnerable families.