Legal Question in Civil Rights Law in Michigan

Limited access to parent's apartment

My widowed mother lives in an apt. operated by the City Housing Commission. They gave her one key to enter her building but she is not allowed to make copies for any of her children. I am worried that we might have to get to her to help her at some time but we will be unable to get into her building. Is it allowed that she cannot even get one extra key for a family member to check on her? Nothing is in the lease about this. It is a recent decision by the Housing Commission.


Asked on 8/07/00, 7:50 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys

Regina Mullen Legal Data Services, PLC

Re: Limited access to parent's apartment

You don't say which city you live in, but housing commissions always have a way of challenging policy,--even if it's on an individual level. You should go to the Commission and ask how to obtain an exemption, and if that's not possible, explain your situation nicely (remember they're bureaucrats!) and ask for advice. If there are a lot of elderly people there, it only makes sense for there to be a 24-hr procedure for their loved ones to check up on them. Not sure if that HAS to include giving all of her children a key (that doesn't sound reasonable to me either), but if the goal is her safety, they surely have some sort of workaround. It's up to you to find it. Just don't take no for an answer. THEN, if that fails (ask several different people), then find out who is on the Commission and lobby them before the next meeting. Find out how to get on the formal agenda, and voice your concerns on the public record. Be persistent!

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Answered on 9/14/00, 8:33 am


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