{ Monitor in a Minute } April 2020

By JANE McCLURE

Rental regulations hearing May 20

A sweeping set of proposed rental regulations could help tenants who struggle with difficulties finding and retaining housing. But the proposed regulations, which were introduced March 11 at the St. Paul City Council, are criticized by some landlords and landlord advocacy groups as being onerous and not addressing the city’s affordable housing crisis. A public hearing on the ordinance is at Wednesday, May 20 at City Hall. People are encouraged to weigh in online.

The proposals were released March 4 by Ward 4 Council Member Mitra Jalali and Mayor Melvin Carter’s administration. The S.A.F.E. Housing Tenant Protections Ordinance would address tenant rights and responsibilities, a just cause notice requirement, an advance notice of sale of rental properties, security deposit limitations and tenant screening guidelines. “Stable, accessible, fair, and equitable housing is a basic human need,” Carter said in a statement. “Our S.A.F.E. Housing Tenant Protections ensures we can keep this promise for everyone in our community.”

Jalali pointed out that more than half of St. Paul residents rent, including herself. More than 50 percent of St. Paul residents, or 57,621 households, are renters. Eighty-three percent of African-American households rent. In comparison, 41 percent of white households rent.

The proposal was developed after a series of community meetings in 2019, where council members and city staff met with residents to talk about rental housing issues. Jalali emphasized that landlords were involved in the discussions, along with tenants and advocacy groups.