State housing officials and Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan are unveiling new legislation Thursday to protect Section 8 housing voucher recipients from discrimination.
Finding rentals in 2024 that accept section eight vouchers is a challenge. And Lieutenant Governor Flanagan says when she was young, she and her family relied on those same vouchers.
"I share this experience with thousands of Minnesotans," says Flanagan. "In fact, over 5,000 Minnesota families will receive a housing voucher in the next biennium and it should be as simple as that. Minnesotan should know that vouchers and programs are here to help them without fear of future discrimination from a landlord."
She says the Housing Stability Act looks to clarify and ensure that Minnesota families are not discriminated against because of the way they pay their rent.
“This bill makes clear that landlords who choose not to accept renters based on their use of housing vouchers are breaking the law,” said Lieutenant Governor Flanagan. “Housing vouchers provided me with a safe place to live as a child, and we know that housing stability is the foundation of educational growth, stable employment, health, and safety. That’s why every Minnesotan deserves access to stable housing without discrimination.”
The Housing Stability Act clarifies the state’s civil rights law to ensure that landlords cannot refuse to rent to or otherwise discriminate against someone because they receive and use rental assistance to pay their rent.
According to the Metro HRA, 46% of housing voucher recipients in Anoka, Carver, and suburban Hennepin and Ramsey counties return their vouchers for multiple reasons, including not being able to find a landlord who accepts housing vouchers.
“Providing long-term rental assistance is a win-win situation for the renter and the property owner. The renter has stability in their housing, and the owner receives a guaranteed payment,” said Minnesota Housing Commissioner Jennifer Ho. “Last year the state legislature created approximately 5,000 more vouchers. Now is the time to make sure properties accept eligible applicants and don’t discriminate based on source of income.”
In 2023, Governor Tim Walz signed into law the largest single investment in housing in state history. The $1.3 billion investment includes an estimated $124 million in rental assistance for Minnesotans. With these funds, Minnesota is anticipated to help about 5,000 community members and their families pay for their rent through housing vouchers.