Home to Stay MPLS Coalition Celebrates Win for “Yes on 3” Charter Amendment, Calls for Prompt Action from City to Pass Strong Rent Stabilization Policy to Address Housing Crisis

MINNEAPOLIS – The Home to Stay MPLS coalition, which brings together faith, labor and community groups who represent tens of thousands of Minneapolis renters, homeowners, landlords, celebrated voters passing Question 3 to allow for Rent Stabilization in Minneapolis. By voting yes, Minneapolis residents allowed the City of Minneapolis to craft a rent stabilization policy, something the Home to Stay MPLS coalition will be pushing to happen as soon as possible.

Flora Dominguez, a Minneapolis renter & member of Inquilinxs Unidxs Por Justicia (United Renters For Justice), shared her excitement about the results and determination about the work ahead to win a rent stabilization policy in Minneapolis:   

“I am really happy that we won this struggle together. This important fight for rent stabilization was powerful because of the unity of renters across the city,” said Dominguez. “Finally we are being heard and our importance to the city is being noticed. But the fight doesn't end here. We've won the first step but we need to keep working together to meet our true goal!”

The coalition announced election morning that across the coalition there were over 284,085 calls, texts, and doors knocked and 20,092 conversations that happened during the election season. Across zip code, race and multiple languages, conversations happened about the need for action to address the housing crisis facing thousands of Minneapolis residents. Opponents of Question 3 raised and spent over $4.3 million dollars in their attempts to uphold the status quo.

Troy Bowman, a Minneapolis renter and member of SEIU Local 26 who spend months advocating for the amendment, shared his hope for the future: 

“I was excited to talk to so many people this election cycle. On the phones and in my community I saw that people were looking for a change in how housing is done here in Minneapolis. Over and over I heard people who want to see change and make housing more affordable. Everyone agrees that people shouldn’t have to work two or three jobs just to pay the rent like they do now,” said Bowman. “We all want stability. To the City Council: passing rent stabilization would uplift so many people and make sure families have a place to live that they are proud of and not having to worry about being homeless. It’s urgent and I hope you act quickly.”

Aliza Tresser, a Minneapolis renter and member of Jewish Community Action, shared her excitement about the vote and commitment to the work ahead: 

“We are so proud of our city for passing the first step towards ensuring stable housing for all of our neighbors. There is still so much work to do to actualize rent stabilization for our city and I can’t wait to get started!”

The groups now will push the City Council to pass a strong policy that includes all people and all housing types that will finally begin to address the housing crisis facing thousands of families across Minneapolis. 

Miranda Dils, renter in Minneapolis and leader with the Young Adult Coalition of Faith in Minnesota who was active in the campaign to win a “yes” vote, shared her thoughts on election night following the win: 

“The results from tonight’s election reflect what I’ve been hearing from Minneapolis residents throughout our voter engagement work and frankly well before: we’re ready for serious solutions and policies in our city that will address our housing crisis,” said Dils. “Whether we rent our homes or own them, Minneapolis can be a place for all of us to put down roots. As a majority renter city, it’s important we have rent stabilization to help make that possible. As we now look ahead to implementing rent stabilization in Minneapolis, I’m excited to see this work through, ensuring we have a bold rent stabilization policy designed to truly meet the needs of all renters in our communities.”

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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.