As the Saint Paul City Council buckles down to tackle the housing crisis, two new ordinances are on the table aimed at protecting tenants and bolstering the city's housing supply. "Our Council is moving forward with urgency to protect tenants and expand the housing supply," Council President Rebecca Noecker highlighted the urgency of these measures, as reported by the City of Saint Paul's official news.
Refining the package of Tenant Protections, the council seeks to strike a balance that respects the dignity and stability of tenants while preserving landlords’ ability to operate their businesses viably. Council Member Cheniqua Johnson, Chair of the Saint Paul Housing & Redevelopment Authority, outlined the proposed protections, saying, "By passing this package, we can ensure that landlords can’t discriminate against potential renters. That landlords and property owners must provide renters with fair and sufficient notice of sale when their home is being sold or when there may be a possible eviction due to a family’s inability to pay. That St. Paul renters aren’t charged an exorbitant price for security deposits. And that landlords can’t retaliate against tenants for simply trying to protect their rights." Johnson's statement to Saint Paul's news release reflects the council's mission towards a city where tenants enjoy greater stability and influence.
Addressing the economic dimensions of housing, Vice President Hwa Jeong Kim connects the dots between rent stabilization and housing affordability as pillars for equitable living. "Tenant Protections and rent stabilization are tools to actualize housing as a human right," Kim mentioned in a statement, emphasizing the need to lessen the housing cost disparities faced by communities of color and working-class families.
Additionally, amendments to the voter-proposed and Approved Rent Stabilization Ordinance are being considered, especially in the face of development challenges in key areas such as Highland Bridge and Allianz Field. Councilmember Saura Jost emphasized the importance of maintaining renter protections without hindering the city's capacity to construct affordable and plentiful housing. "Our Rent Stabilization Ordinance is an important protection for our city’s renters; this amendment can maintain its protection for a majority of our residents without impeding Saint Paul’s efforts to build more housing as we work towards affordable and plentiful housing," Jost explained in the official announcement.
Both ordinances will undergo a three-week ordinance process, including public hearings for community input, before the Saint Paul City Council votes on their final adoption. The key upcoming dates for public engagement are a community conversation on March 27, 2025, at the El Rio Community Center, and an additional conversation for Tenant Protections and new Rent Stabilization exemption on March 28, 2025, at the Eastside, North End Community Center. The vote and final adoption are set for May 7th, 2025, though this date might be subject to change due to potential layovers and amendments, as outlined by the City of Saint Paul's news release.
