The Minneapolis Civil Rights Department is educating renters and property owners about that city’s ordinance prohibiting public assistance discrimination in housing, including against those with Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers. The ordinance is now in effect and enforceable after facing years of legal challenges. 

The housing discrimination amendments to the civil rights ordinance, approved by the City Council in March 2017, prohibit property owners from denying public assistance participants the opportunity to apply for available housing or refusing to rent to potential renters because they use public assistance to pay their rent or because of the requirements of a public assistance program. The amendments also prohibit property owners from imposing unique rental standards or otherwise treating potential public assistance renters differently from other renters. 

Families in Minneapolis who participate in public assistance programs face an especially challenging task of finding affordable housing in Minneapolis. The Minneapolis Public Housing Authority reports that it provides housing subsidies to approximately 8,550 families across Minneapolis. 

How do people submit a complaint? Renters who believe they have faced discrimination because of their use of public assistance should contact the Civil Rights Department.

Call 311 or 612-673-3012. 

File an online complaint form. 

File a complaint in person at the Civil Rights Department, City Hall, 350 S. 5th St. Room 239. 

Civil Rights staff members are planning an informational session in the community to educate people about the ordinance. The next session is 2-7 p.m. Monday, November 13, in the Plymouth room at the Robert J. Jones Urban Research and Outreach-Engagement Center (UROC), 2001 Plymouth Ave.  

Learn more about the ordinance on the City’s website at Public assistance for housing.