Title
Creating Chapter 193 of the Legislative Code (Title XIX) pertaining to Tenant Protections.
Body
Section 1
WHEREAS, under City Council RES 17-994, the Council directed the creation of a fair housing workgroup to make policy and budget recommendations “with the goal of eliminating housing disparities, lowering barriers to affordable housing, and ensuring access to economic opportunity in the City of Saint Paul”; and
WHEREAS, under City Council RES 17-2064, the seated Council directed the development of a fair housing strategic plan; and
WHEREAS, under City RES 18-1204, the seated City Council acknowledged “the housing crisis” in our city and region, and the urgent need to address the crisis as our population grows,”; and
WHEREAS, under City ORD 20-14, the seated City Council voted to passed Ordinance 20-14 Creating Chapter 193 of the Legislative Code (Title XIX) pertaining to Tenant Protections; and
WHEREAS, under City ORD 21-21, the seated City Council voted to passed Ordinance 21-21 Repealing Chapter 193 of the Legislative Code related to Tenant Protections; and
WHEREAS, the 2040 Comprehensive Plan identified decent, safe, and healthy housing for all Saint Paul residents, fair and equitable access to housing for all City residents, stable rental housing and improved access to affordable housing as 3 of 7 housing goals; and
WHEREAS, 47% of Saint Paul residents are renters; and recent data shows that 49% of Saint Paul renter households are cost burdened earning 60 percent or less of the Area Median Income; and
WHEREAS, the Fair Housing Act of 1968 requires that the City affirmatively further fair housing, meaning the City must take meaningful action to overcome historic patterns of segregation, promote fair housing choice, and foster inclusive communities that are free from discrimination; and
WHEREAS, prospective renters regularly are required to pay a security deposit at the outset of renting a unit and particularly for tenant applicati...
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