Voters in both Minneapolis and St. Paul will weigh in on rent control on Nov. 2.
The measure on the ballot in Minneapolis would give the Minneapolis City Council power to limit rent increases.
St. Paul’s rent stabilization proposal is more specific and would be a first in the nation if passed. A coalition of housing advocacy and neighborhood groups gathered more than 9,000 signatures to put a proposed new ordinance on the ballot that would cap rent increases at 3 percent each year.
Unlike rent policies elsewhere, St. Paul’s cap would apply immediately to new apartment buildings as well as existing units. And, it would stop landlords from dramatically raising rents between tenants.
Wednesday at 9 a.m., MPR News guest host Chris Farrell will talk about the rent stabilization measure in front of St. Paul’s voters with a reporter, an advocate and an opponent. Could it stop dramatic rent hikes that disproportionately hurt low-income renters and renters of color without slowing the construction of new apartment buildings?
We’d like to hear from you, too. How do you plan to vote on St. Paul’s proposed ordinance? And why? If you’re a renter, have you experienced a dramatic rent increase that created hardship? If you’re a property owner, could you make a reasonable profit if you were limited to 3 percent annual rent increase, or not? Call us at 651-227-6000 or 800-242-2828 during the 9 a.m. hour.
Guests:
Fred Melo covers St. Paul for the St. Paul Pioneer Press
Tram Hoang is campaign manager for Keep St. Paul Home and an organizer of Housing Equity Now St. Paul, the coalition of housing advocacy and neighborhood groups behind St. Paul’s rent stabilization initiative.
Adam Duininck is director of government affairs for the North Central States Regional Council of Carpenters. He opposes the rent stabilization proposal in St. Paul.
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