Mich. Comp. Laws § § 125.694a
Tenancy or contract right to occupy housing; termination; just cause.
Operative Text
Sec. 44a. (1) No tenancy or contract right to occupy housing in a project or facilities operated by any city, village, township or other unit of local government, as provided by this act, shall be terminated by the project management or the local housing commission except for just cause. (2) Just cause to terminate a tenancy or contract right to occupy housing includes, but is not limited to 1 or more of the following: (a) A failure to comply with the obligations of the lease or the lawful rules and regulations of the housing commission. (b) The use of a unit for any unlawful purpose, including any purpose for which the commission is entitled to recover possession of the premises by summary proceedings under section 5714(1)(b) of the revised judicature act of 1961, Act No. 236 of the Public Acts of 1961, being section 600.5714 of the Michigan Compiled Laws. (c) The maintenance of any unsafe, unsanitary, or unhealthful condition in any dwelling unit or in any of the common areas.
Under MCL § 125.694a (Sec. 44a), tenancies or contract rights to occupy housing in publicly operated local government housing projects cannot be ended by project management or a local housing commission without just cause. The law defines just cause to include, but not limit to, lease violations, use of a unit for unlawful purposes, and maintaining unsafe or unsanitary conditions in a unit or common areas. This provision establishes a baseline protection against arbitrary eviction in government-operated housing.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under MCL § 125.694a, housing commissions and project management operating local government housing are required to ground any termination of tenancy or occupancy rights in just cause. Compliant operators typically document lease violations, unlawful use of units, or unsafe and unsanitary conditions thoroughly before initiating termination proceedings. Maintaining clear records of rule violations and communications with residents is a standard practice for demonstrating that a termination meets the just cause standard set out in this provision.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
MCL § 125.694a provides residents of city, village, township, or other local government housing with the right not to have their tenancy or occupancy contract terminated without just cause. If a resident believes a termination notice lacks a valid just cause basis as defined by this provision, that claim may be raised as a defense in eviction proceedings or brought to the attention of the relevant local housing commission. Tenant-rights organizations familiar with Michigan public housing law can help residents understand the range of options available when facing a termination that may not meet the just cause standard.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 13, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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