Fair housing is the right to choose one’s housing, without being subject to unlawful discrimination. As a recipient of Federal funds, the City has the obligation to Affirmatively Further Fair Housing, and to take “meaningful actions, in addition to combating discrimination, that overcome patterns of segregation and foster inclusive communities free from barriers that restrict access to opportunity based on protected characteristics”

In 2017, the City Council created a Fair Housing Working Group to make policy and budget recommendations to the Mayor and the Housing and Redevelopment Authority, with the goal of eliminating housing disparities, lowering barriers to affordable housing, and ensuring access to economic opportunity in the City of Saint Paul. The Working Group includes representatives from the City Council, Mayor’s Office, Planning and Economic Development, Safety and Inspections, Human Rights and Equal Economic Opportunity, the Saint Paul Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HRA), and Ramsey County. The Working Group presented a report to the Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HRA) on March 28, 2018.

File a Discrimination Complaint

Who Do I Contact About Fair Housing?

The City's Fair Housing Coordinator is located in the Office of Financial Empowerment.

The Department of Planning and Economic Development (PED) provides funding, participates in regional fair housing initiatives, provides direct service, and promotes fair housing policies

  • The Rental Rehabilitation Loan Program provides no-interest loans for responsible landlords desiring to upgrade their current property classification by making property improvements that increase the safety and quality of rental units

The Department of Safety and Inspections (DSI) promotes the safety of Saint Paul’s housing stock, for renters and homeowners.

  • First-time landlords are required to participate in Landlord 101, which satisfies the requirements of SPLC 40.04(b) (4), requiring first-time Fire Certificate of Occupancy applicants to complete an approved course of instruction.
  • Prospective tenants can review inspection records for specific rental properties through Saint Paul's Online Services property search portal.
  • Prospective tenants can identify specific areas within Saint Paul and review the most recent inspection grades those properties received through DSI's Certificate of Occupancy Map.

The Department of Human Rights and Equal Employment Opportunity (HREEO) provides fair housing training to landlords and tenants, investigates fair housing complaints, and participates in policy development.

The City Council and Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HRA) adopt policies and budgets related to fair housing.

Resources

Legal, dispute resolution, and education

Beyond Backgrounds by HousingLink

Dispute Resolution Center

  • Provides community mediation and restorative justice services in Dakota, Ramsey, and Washington Counties
  • Contact: (651) 292-7791

HOME Line

  • Supports tenants in Minnesota by providing free and low-cost services to help solve their rental housing issues legally
  • Contact: (612) 728-5767

Southern MN Regional Legal Services

  • Provides free, high-quality legal services to low-income people in critical civil matters
  • Contact: (651) 222-5863

Housing listings

Housing Link

  • Provides online lists of available units in the metro area, including market-rate housing, buildings that accept Section 8 vouchers, and other available subsidized housing
  • Contact: (612) 522-2500

Community resources

Ramsey County Emergency Assistance

  • Provides short-term financial assistance in cases that pose a direct threat to the physical health or safety of a child younger than 18
  • Contact: (651) 266-4444

HouseCalls/Families in Crisis Program

  • A collaboration between Public Health and Health Care for the Homeless that provides health and social services to families living in high-risk environments, who are at risk of becoming homeless
  • All services (except utility assistance) are by referral only

The Family Place

  • The only day center for homeless families in Ramsey County
  • Contact: (651) 225-9354

United Way

  • Connects people with resources within Minnesota
  • Contact: Dial 211

MinnesotaHelp.info

  • An online directory of services with links to housing, emergency assistance, and healthcare

Salvation Army

  • Assists residents across Minneapolis, Saint Paul and the greater Metro area with basic needs, housing, and other services
  • Contact: (651)746-3400

Catholic Charities

  • The largest comprehensive social service nonprofit in the greater Minneapolis-Saint Paul region, serving thousands of people through 35 different programs at over 20 locations
  • Contact: (612) 204-8500

Lutheran Social Services

  • Helps Minnesotans by providing a wide range of human support services related to the basic necessities of life - food and shelter, physical health and safety, and emotional and spiritual wellbeing
  • Contact: (651) 642-5990

Loaves and Fishes

  • Serves free, nutritious meals to people in need in areas where that need is greatest
  • Contact: (612) 377-9810

Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity's A Brush With Kindness

  • Partners with low- and moderate-income homeowners to maintain their homes
  • Contact: (612) 788-8169

Heart and Hammers

  • Provides exterior home improvement assistance for senior citizens, disabled adults and veterans of the United States Armed Forces or their surviving spouse so that they may continue living independently
  • Contact: (651) 636-0797

C.L.U.E.S (Comunidades Latinas Unidas Em Servicio)

  • Offers programs designed to provide access to resources and opportunities for Latino families and individuals to be healthier, prosperous and engaged
  • Contact: (651) 379-4200

Last Edited: April 14, 2023