Embattled landlord Frenz sells the last of his Minneapolis buildings, giving control to tenants
Randy Furst · StarTribune · 18 May 2020
Low-income tenants in south Minneapolis will gain control of five apartment buildings from embattled ex-landlord Stephen Frenz, ending a bitter fight after complaints of substandard conditions and attempted evictions.
Just Because You Can Afford to Leave the City Doesn’t Mean You Should
Mary T. Bassett · New York Times · 15 May 2020
It’s a mistake to blame density for the spread of the coronavirus. Cities, large and dense by definition, do not inevitably support explosive viral transmission. But factors that do seem to explain clusters of Covid-19 deaths in the United States are household crowding, poverty, racialized economic segregation and participation in the work force. The patterns of Covid-19 by neighborhood in New York City track historical redlining that some 80 years ago established a legacy of racial residential segregation.
What Happens When Eviction Moratoriums Are Over?
Emma Coleman · Route Fifty · 22 April 2020
Letting moratoriums expire without putting long-term renter support in place would be devastating. Once moratoriums end, officials say courts will likely be overwhelmed with eviction proceedings.
As coronavirus spreads in Minnesota, it exposes racial inequalities
Marissa Evans and James Walsh · StarTribune · 22 April 2020
As COVID-19 continues to take thousands of lives each day in the United States, minorities in particular are being ravaged out of proportion, public health officials say.
Gov. Walz announces halt to eviction proceedings amid coronavirus
Marissa Evans · StarTribune · March 24,2020
The governor said in a news conference call from self-imposed quarantine that landlords and financial institutions cannot start eviction proceedings during the state’s peacetime emergency for the virus. Walz said halting evictions was necessary to slow the spread of the coronavirus and it would be “not only personally cruel, but counterproductive to what we’re trying to do” if people did not have a home to stay in.
Coronavirus crisis drives housing advocates’ push for rent and mortgage relief
Kim Hart · Axios · March 20, 2020
Without a place to stay, it’s next to impossible to maintain the “social distance” necessary to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.
Renters, landlords seek relief during coronavirus economic tailspin
Danny Spewak · KARE11 · 18 March (updated 19 March)
With coronavirus inflicting pain on both renters and landlords, both sides are seeking government relief.
Report: Many Minnesota college students struggle to afford food, housing
Henry Erlandson · StarTribune · March 8, 2020
Nearly half of Minnesota college and university students cannot consistently afford their housing costs, while more than one-third struggle to pay for adequate food, according to a new report.
Rents See Biggest Jump in Decade
Jim Buchta · StarTribune · Feb 15, 2020
Average monthly cost in the metro rose 6%, driven by demand in the suburbs.
Twin Cities Housing: The ‘Flaming Hoops’ Separating Builders and Cities
Steve Elkins · StarTribune · Feb 14, 2020
By the Metropolitan Council’s estimates, the average of 9,500 housing units we’ve been building per year over the past decade is 30% less than the 14,000 units per year we need to keep up with demand. The affordable housing picture is worse; we’re building just one-fifth of what’s needed.