As April drew to a close, Saint Paul residents were reminded of their rights under the Fair Housing Act, which marked another National Fair Housing Month. A HREEO Monthly Brief shared by City of Saint Paul’s official website underscores that the act, originating from 1968, is still a bulwark against discrimination based on race, disability, or familial status in housing matters. Saint Paul’s Human Rights Investigations division stands ready to address individual complaints of housing discrimination, urging anyone who believes they've experienced such injustices within the past year to reach out via several channels, including phone and email.
The City of Saint Paul also emphasized the importance of workplace rights with a nod to mandatory postings. Employers are required to display notices about the Earned Sick and Safe Time (ESST), Minimum Wage, and Wage Theft ordinances. The posters provide clarity on employees' rights and must be displayed in English and any other necessary languages to ensure broad awareness.
Switching gears to the celebration of heritage and culture, May ushers in Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month. The HREEO Monthly Brief calls attention to the rich contributions of AAPI communities to the city's social fabric, encouraging locals to engage with and learn about the diverse cultures and histories that enrich Saint Paul.
The brief also lays out a slate of civic events slated for May, ranging from the Police Civilian Internal Affairs Review Commission (PCIARC) Annual Summit to advisory committee meetings surrounding labor standards, disabilities, aging, and more. Participants have the option to show up in person or join virtually for some events, like the PCIARC summit, with live streaming available through the City of Saint Paul's YouTube page. For those with a bent towards financial literacy, the "Money Action Day" was presented as a notable event on May 31st at the Arlington Hills Community Center, as per the City of Saint Paul.
