Fundraiser to Support Displaced Leland House Residents Raises Concerns Over Uncertain Future
A fundraiser is scheduled for this Friday at the Lager House, 1254 Michigan Ave., where residents of the storied downtown Detroit building, Leland House, will gather to raise money for their displaced colleagues. The event aims to collect monetary donations at the door, raffle off prizes, and provide information booths while encouraging "dancing for solidarity" with a lineup of DJs.
The displacement of tenants is a result of a major electrical failure that forced them out of the building more than a month ago. Many residents are currently staying at the Red Roof Inn in Southfield, where the city of Detroit is paying for hotel rooms. The financial strain on the displaced residents has been exacerbated by their inability to access basic necessities like food, clothing, and transportation due to limited options.
Daryl Stewart, a 67-year-old artist and percussionist who has lived at Leland House since 2012, expressed his frustration with the situation, stating that it's "expensive out here" and "like being in another world." He also acknowledged the emotional toll of displacement on residents, describing their home as "everybody loved that building... It was our family."
The fundraiser is separate from a GoFundMe campaign launched in early December to support Leland City Club, a longtime goth-and-techno venue inside the building. However, questions arose about whether the proceeds went toward paying DTE Energy.
A recent development has raised concerns over the future of the Leland House. The owner is seeking court approval to auction off the building and its parking lot through an online platform. A designated "stalking horse" bidder would set a floor price, with provisions for fees and expense reimbursements outlined in court filings if that bidder is ultimately outbid.
The uncertainty surrounding the building's fate has put added pressure on residents, who worry about potential structural damage due to prolonged exposure without electricity. Stewart emphasized that residents still have no idea what's next and are anxious about the future of their beloved home.
The fundraiser at the Lager House aims to provide direct support to displaced residents, with donations split evenly among 27 tenants. The event promises a lively atmosphere, featuring a DJ lineup including Coffee Black, Nova Blu, Something Blue, Big Joe Hix, and Mizz Chavez.
A fundraiser is scheduled for this Friday at the Lager House, 1254 Michigan Ave., where residents of the storied downtown Detroit building, Leland House, will gather to raise money for their displaced colleagues. The event aims to collect monetary donations at the door, raffle off prizes, and provide information booths while encouraging "dancing for solidarity" with a lineup of DJs.
The displacement of tenants is a result of a major electrical failure that forced them out of the building more than a month ago. Many residents are currently staying at the Red Roof Inn in Southfield, where the city of Detroit is paying for hotel rooms. The financial strain on the displaced residents has been exacerbated by their inability to access basic necessities like food, clothing, and transportation due to limited options.
Daryl Stewart, a 67-year-old artist and percussionist who has lived at Leland House since 2012, expressed his frustration with the situation, stating that it's "expensive out here" and "like being in another world." He also acknowledged the emotional toll of displacement on residents, describing their home as "everybody loved that building... It was our family."
The fundraiser is separate from a GoFundMe campaign launched in early December to support Leland City Club, a longtime goth-and-techno venue inside the building. However, questions arose about whether the proceeds went toward paying DTE Energy.
A recent development has raised concerns over the future of the Leland House. The owner is seeking court approval to auction off the building and its parking lot through an online platform. A designated "stalking horse" bidder would set a floor price, with provisions for fees and expense reimbursements outlined in court filings if that bidder is ultimately outbid.
The uncertainty surrounding the building's fate has put added pressure on residents, who worry about potential structural damage due to prolonged exposure without electricity. Stewart emphasized that residents still have no idea what's next and are anxious about the future of their beloved home.
The fundraiser at the Lager House aims to provide direct support to displaced residents, with donations split evenly among 27 tenants. The event promises a lively atmosphere, featuring a DJ lineup including Coffee Black, Nova Blu, Something Blue, Big Joe Hix, and Mizz Chavez.
... those residents have been through so much already, displacement, no electricity, limited resources... it's heartbreaking 
. The fundraiser is a good start, but we gotta make sure the money goes directly to them, you feel? 
And now this auction thing... it's like, what's the point of even trying if they're just gonna sell it off for pennies 
? shouldn't the city be taking care of its own people instead of leaving them to fend for themselves? 
. Anyone have any thoughts on how we can really support these artists and musicians now? 
#LelandHouse #DisplacedResidents #SolidarityMatters
the leland house has been a part of the community for ages & now they're being forced out due to a electrical failure 
it's not just the residents who are affected but also their families & friends. 67-year-old daryl stewart said it's like "being in another world" out there, with limited access to basic necessities like food, clothing & transportation. 
let's keep our fingers crossed for the leland house residents 
this whole thing got me thinking... we're all human beings, we all have homes, we all have families... can't we just look out for each other? 
the problem here is that people are struggling, not because they don't deserve it, but because they're stuck in limbo. no one wants to commit to a solution, so everyone's just kind of floating. like daryl said, "it's expensive out here"... and honestly, it shouldn't be 
I hope they can find someone who actually cares about the place and the people livin' there. We should be tryin' to help these guys out instead of makin' 'em worry about their future all the time 
. The city needs to figure out a way to help these people instead of just throwing them to the wolves. Can't we get some real support here? 
. It's heartbreaking to think that this iconic building has become a temporary shelter for people who are used to having a home 
. Can't we just get them back into their beloved Leland House soon? 
. What if the auction happens and someone buys up the building without considering the residents' well-being? It's so unfair 
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The owner wants to auction it off? That's not exactly reassuring for the tenants who are already living in limbo... And what about all these people dancing for solidarity at the Lager House? I get that it's a great way to bring some community together, but isn't this just a Band-Aid on a much bigger problem? 
i feel 4 these ppl who've been livin in dat building 4 yrs & are now bein forced 2 move away 2 hotels cuz of some electrical fail 
. Can't they get some proper support or government help already? 
. Can you imagine having to leave your home of 10+ years, not knowing what's next? The uncertainty must be killing them 
it's just an old building that got knocked outta commission for like a month... and now ppl are worried bout what's gonna happen to it 
that's the real crisis here. fundraiser or not, we need to focus on fixin' those lives, not just some old building 