Rental properties make up about 44 percent of available housing in St. Louis Park. A 2017 study showed that of those rental properties, about 45 percent was naturally occurring affordable housing (NOAH). It’s suspected that figure has decreased more since 2017, which is indicative of the overall decline in NOAH properties in the Twin Cities. As a result, protection of tenant rights and preservation of affordable housing are high priorities of the St. Louis Park City Council and Housing Authority.
In 2018, St. Louis Park was the first city in Minnesota to pass a tenant protection ordinance with the goal of shielding affordable housing tenants during ownership changes. The ordinance requires new owners of affordable housing to pay relocation benefits to tenants who choose to move because the owner increases the rent, re-screens existing tenants or implements non-renewals of leases without cause. This tenant protection period is in place for three months following the ownership transfer of the property.
A city-convened workgroup recommended the tenant protection ordinance following review and discussion of preservation strategies for naturally occurring affordable housing, defined as buildings where at least 18 percent of the units have rents affordable to households with incomes at or below 60 percent area median income. The workgroup included representatives of the MN Multi-Housing Association and St. Louis Park rental community along with representatives from agencies advocating for the preservation of naturally occurring affordable housing.
Recently, St. Louis Park was also the first city in Minnesota to adopt a notice of eviction ordinance that requires rental property owners and managers to provide a notice to tenants prior to the filing of an eviction action for nonpayment of rent. The notice is meant to ensure that residents are informed and aware of the consequences of unresolved financial obligations to the landlord that are in violation of the lease.
Before bringing an eviction action for nonpayment of rent or other unpaid financial obligations, a landlord must provide written notice to the residential tenant specifying the allegations of nonpayment of rent or other unpaid financial obligations and must state the total amount due along with specific accounting of the total amount. The notice must be delivered personally, mailed to the residential tenant at the address of the leased premises or delivered by email, if the tenant has said that is the preferred form of communication. If correction is not made within seven days of the delivery or mailing of the notice, the landlord may proceed with filing a complaint based on any allegations in the notice.
“St. Louis Park’s multi-pronged response to the housing crisis has undoubtedly stabilized the lives of hundreds of residents,” said Derek Burrows Reise, executive director of the St. Louis Park Emergency Program. “Fewer families who call St. Louis Park home have experienced homelessness or been forced to move away from the community due to the loss of affordable options. Every person deserves to have affordable housing in their chosen community.”
For more information contact Michele Schnitker, CD Deputy Dir./Housing Supervisor, mschnitker@stlouispark.org.
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