Detroit reported 20,370 eviction cases in 2025, but this number only reflects cases that went through the formal legal process. In Michigan, landlords must obtain a court order to evict a tenant, regardless of the reason—whether the tenant hasn't paid rent, is making excessive noise, or wants to make renovations. The formal eviction process involves several steps, ending only when a judge issues an order requiring the tenant to move. Additionally, if a landlord decides not to renew a lease, they must provide a 30-day notice. They cannot retaliate against tenants by not renewing a lease if the tenant has requested repairs. Research suggests that the official eviction count in metro Detroit is only about half of the true number, as many landlords ignore the law and bypass the formal court process. A study led by a tenured social epidemiology professor and native Detroiter, who is also the leader of the first and most comprehensive research on court-ordered and illegal evictions among Black women in the U.S., found that Black women and children are disproportionately affected by evictions. This is due to the combined effects of structural racism and sexism. The study, called the SECURE Study, surveyed nearly 1,500 Black women aged 18 to 46 in metro Detroit, with nearly 800 of them having experienced a court-ordered or illegal eviction in their lifetime. The SECURE Study was conducted in partnership with a community advisory board of Black women who are leaders in various fields locally, nationally, and internationally. Researchers used personal stories to show how illegal evictions can negatively impact reproductive justice—defined as the right to bodily autonomy, to choose whether to have children, and to raise children in safe and sustainable communities. The study found that more than one in three pregnant or postpartum participants who experienced an illegal eviction had nowhere to live. Many of these women had month-to-month leases or no lease at all, making them more vulnerable to sudden displacement. Additional studies have linked eviction to negative health outcomes. One study in Georgia found that mothers who were evicted during their second or third trimester were more likely to have babies with low birth weight or born prematurely compared to those evicted in their first trimester. Another study looking at data from four U.S. cities found that children who experienced eviction were more likely to have developmental, behavioral, and health issues compared to those who had not been evicted. In-depth interviews with women who were illegally evicted revealed that many had been evicted as children themselves, and the stress of eviction could lead to food insecurity and even loss of custody of their children. Current state and local policies aimed at addressing the eviction crisis only tackle about half of the issue, as they rarely account for illegal evictions. The research suggests that expanding these programs to better address the needs of mothers and their children could help ensure their right to housing, reduce homelessness, and prevent family separations.