MICAH St. Paul Chapter Report

The chapter narrowed their Fair Housing agenda to 4 main points, three of which are being considered by the St. Paul City Council. Chapter members are meeting with each council representative to support the three and push for the fourth on inclusionary zoning.

We have already met with Council members Prince and Jalali and are scheduling with Thao, Noeker, and Yang.

The three items on the fair housing agenda the City and the Chapter agree on are:
1) Real language renter's rights, where renters get a listing of their rights written in a non-legalese way,
2) Just Cause eviction limitations, where renters cannot be denied renewal unless the landlord has a just cause (which will prevent wholesale turnover when properties are sold)
3) Renter screening cannot look at old and unnecessary information (like credit score or 20 year old criminal records.)

On January 30, the MICAH St. Paul Chapter held its legislative breakfast, attended by over 90 people, including 11 public officials. The room was electric with energy as tables discussed needs for housing with their elected officials. Notes on recommended next steps and actions will be compiled and shared with the entire MICAH email list.

The chapter has also identified fifteen possible goals for 2020, including a focus on family homelessness, and are narrowing them down at the February 20 meeting.