Tonya Myers Phillips, project leader for the Detroit Right to Counsel — a group seeking to guarantee legal representation for low-income renters facing eviction — argued Thursday during committee that the ordinance was legally sound.

“We need to bring our residents and our city one step closer to having housing security,” Phillips said.

Last week, Phillips told the Free Press that the ordinance, if passed, would be a “game changer.”

“A right to counsel is, simply put, just the right to have legal representation in a legal proceeding,” Phillips said, using the example of how those accused of a crime are guaranteed a lawyer if they can’t afford one. There isn’t an equivalent on the civil side and that needs to change for those facing eviction in Detroit, she said. … see full story at Bridge Detroit