Following Vote on Rent Stabilization Worker Group, Home to Stay MPLS Continue Push for Bold, Fast Action to Address Housing Crisis
MINNEAPOLIS – April 14, 2022 – The Home to Stay Minneapolis coalition, which brings together renters, homeowners and small landlords in support of rent stabilization, called for continued urgency as the Minneapolis City Council voted today to move forward with a plan to start a rent stabilization working group.
Jennifer Arnold, Executive Director Inquilixs Unidxs Por Justicia (United Renters for Justice), a leading organization in the Home to Stay Coalition, shared the urgency felt by renters and allies in the need to address the city’s housing crisis:
“Minneapolis voters made their support clear when they voted for rent stabilization in the November election. We are glad the Council is starting the process today to get a policy that could help address the housing crisis facing so many families in our city, but we also know time is of the essence. People losing their homes, or seeing their rents skyrocket and wondering how to make the math work, need solutions as soon as possible. We look forward to engaging in the working group and will continue to push for a strong rent policy that helps Minneapolis families get passed as soon as humanly possible.”
Kiesha Steele, leader with Barbershop and Black Congregation Cooperative (BBCC) - an initiative of ISAIAH - and renter in North Minneapolis, explained her experience as a renter and need she sees to pass a rent stabilization policy quickly:
“Since moving back to Minneapolis, I’ve been shocked at the cost of rent and how quickly I’ve seen my own rent increase during my time here. I know I’m not the only one. We need a rent stabilization policy to help renters be able to stay in their homes and continue being a part of their communities. While I’m disappointed by the city council’s vote to prolong the process of putting a rent stabilization policy on the ballot for voters, I look forward to remaining engaged in this process to make sure renter voices like mine are central to the conversation of drafting a strong policy that’s right for Minneapolis.”
Kiesha (front right) attends the city council meeting with other BBCC leaders.
The city council unanimously passed a resolution this afternoon to establish a Rent Stabilization Work Group. The work group is to submit a final report with policy recommendations to the council by the end of 2022 in order for a question to go before Minneapolis voters in 2023.
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The Home to Stay MPLS Rent Stabilization coalition is an alignment of organizations and unions representing thousands of Minneapolis residents across race, income and zip code who support amending the Minneapolis charter in order to give the city the power to pass a rent stabilization policy in 2022. Members of our coalition include United Renters For Justice/Inquilinxs Unidxs Por Justicia, ISAIAH, SEIU, Jewish Community Action and Unidos MN.