SAULT STE. MARIE — More than a dozen people were served eviction notices last month and now their housing future is uncertain.
Residents at several low-income housing properties were issued this eviction notice in mid-April by the Chippewa County treasurer and the sheriff’s office.
The notice says the five properties must be vacated by June 1 because the owner, Jerry Mullins, did not pay between $30,000 and $40,000 owed in back taxes from 2022 by the end of March.
The treasurer said none of the tenants knew any of this was going on as they continued to pay their rent. The electricity was shut off for a few days to the buildings earlier this week but have since been turned on by the county.
The whole situation has caused confusion and frustration for the people who live there.
“If there is an issue with a building and it’s being shut down, there has got to be some kind of backup plan. Isn’t there some way that someone can come together so this doesn’t happen because it’s a very difficult thing to do to just to just up and move your life,” said Lee Ann Mansfield, a resident of Lakers Landing.
The foreclosure notice stated the properties are now owned by Chippewa County and by law, the buildings will be sold or transferred in the next few months.