After the Fire: Demanding Accountability and Safe Housing in Flint

Dear City Council,

We begin this letter by honoring the three lives lost in the fire that happened at 821 Martin Luther King Avenue on April 7th, 2026. Their lives mattered and their passing must not be looked at as an isolated tragedy or administrative footnote. It calls for reflection and accountability, about what can be done to prevent continued loss in the future. 

In the wake of that fire, it is deeply concerning that a survivor has yet to be contacted. Especially since that would be paramount to mounting a solid and thorough investigation. However this absence of response reflects a broader pattern that residents across Flint continue to experience, one where crisis after crisis are met with delay or inaction. 

The conditions at Building C of Village Shores Apartments, as well as the ongoing concerns at 821 Martin Luther King Avenue and 1001 Saginaw Street are not isolated incidents. Rather they illustrate a pattern of systemic issue rooted in landlord negligence, gaps in enforcement, and the cumulative effect of administrative retrenchment. At Village Shores, residents found themselves in a predicament where rent continued to be collected for over a year in a building that the city condemned. Worsened by the fact that water service had been cut off by the city more than once, also meaning the loss of heat due to the steam based heating system. Residents then faced displacement without clear and committed relocation support, or pathways to recover losses incurred during their tenancy in a condemned property. 

At 1001 Saginaw Street, recent reporting earlier this month highlights similarly alarming conditions. Following heavy rainfall, ceilings collapsed and units were flooded, destroying residents’ belongings and forcing families to scramble for shelter. Residents report longstanding maintenance issues, including roof failures, lack of heat with some resorting to unsafe methods such as using stoves for warmth. Now, tenants who have paid rent consistently are left without a clear relocation beyond minimal short term hotel assistance.

At 821 Martin Luther King Avenue, the loss of life underscores the most severe of this broader failure to intervene before conditions become catastrophic. 

These circumstances raise fundamental questions about governance, accountability, and the responsibility the city government has in protecting its residents. The absence of: 1.) clear, accessible systems for tracking condemned or unsafe properties, 2.) properly notifying residents, responsible officials  and  3.) enforcing landlord accountability -  contributes to a cycle where harm is repeatedly experienced before interventions occur. Similarly, limited pathways for residents to report unsafe conditions and receive timely responses leave many without recourse until situations escalate into emergencies. 

At the same time, there is an opportunity to move forward with intention. The upcoming budget and election cycle presents a critical moment to allocate resources and our intention toward much needed housing stabilization necessities. 

The Flint Housing Union is a citywide group of Flint residents and supporters who care about housing justice. Our members include tenants, homeowners, and unhoused individuals. We put forth the following demands:

• We call for an immediate investigation into the 821 MLK fire.  The survivor of this fire hasn’t been contacted. 

• We demand for the development and passage of a renter bill of rights ordinance. Renters within the city of Flint need protections against unscrupulous landlords. 

• Flint City Council must demonstrate leadership by:

• Allocating funds to hire additional staff for code enforcement and inspectors for private rental properties

• Eliminate communication barriers between city departments and City Council members. City council members must receive a running list of condemned properties.

• We demand greater transparency with condemned properties by creating a free online portal where prospective renters can check if housing is condemned. This portal can also list status of current and prior property code violations and investigate if necessary.

• The city of Flint must begin to levy fines against unscrupulous landlords who are actively collecting rent on unsafe, condemned property. 

• Public safety isn’t the same as community safety. The City of Flint must work with other community experts to develop alternatives to carceral procedures like raids.

• The city of Flint must address the current housing crisis by developing non market rate  housing, home improvement  and stabilization programs and other pathways for residents to retain and live in safe housing. 

The challenges before us are significant, but they are not insurmountable. With leadership, transparency, and a clearly defined commitment to centering residents’ well being, we can collectively take meaningful steps toward a more just and stable housing system.

In solidarity,

Members of the Flint Housing Union