Less Than 24 Hours Left to Support Housing Virtually
There are LESS THAN 24 HOURS LEFT to submit comments in support of more and better housing in Saint Paul. We need your help to show the City Council that Saint Paul supports housing.
Recently we announced our campaign to support two significant bills before the City Council that will improve housing in Saint Paul - strengthened tenant protections, and an amendment to the city’s Rent Stabilization ordinance that will make it possible to build more housing. The public hearing for these two bills is right around the corner on Wednesday. Under the Council rules, online feedback must be submitted by 12:00 Noon on Tuesday to allow for time to review. This is your last opportunity to submit your comment supporting housing online.
Support Housing TODAY with just Five Easy Clicks
We are asking all our supporters to take just a minute of their time to submit a comment through the City’s online portal TODAY. Just click the buttons below, click “public comments” and then “add new comment”, mark “For” alongside your personal information, and submit!
Alternatively, you can email your feedback to Contact-Council@ci.stpaul.mn.us or CouncilHearing@ci.stpaul.mn.us, or leave a voicemail at 651-266-6805. Be sure to include your resident address. Submitting before noon tomorrow will ensure your voice is counted!
Need help with the content of a public comment? Consider using one of our top talking points about why we support the amendment to Rent Stabilization.
Renters need affordable options, making housing growth essential. The status quo would lock in our current housing shortage for decades, leaving renters without the autonomy they need to leave poor living situations, even forcing them to stay in unsafe or unstable housing due to scarcity.
The best way that Saint Paul can alleviate the growing burden that property tax increases are causing for low-income renters and homeowners is to build more housing. A single new apartment building can generate hundreds of thousands of dollars in property tax revenue every year, but until the rent stabilization ordinance is amended, we will struggle to get them built.
The proposed amendment will make it much easier for developers, including small and local developers, to secure financing to build homes. It does this by creating simplicity and predictability for investors. Those who build housing in the metro area have a choice, and if Saint Paul makes it too difficult to secure financing they will build in other areas.
This limited amendment will encourage growth while still preserving the benefits of the original ordinance. When it passes, more than 90% of the city will remain under stabilization. Renters will continue to be protected from displacement, while our improved growth alleviates the crisis of affordability in housing.
Join Us at the Public Hearing on Wednesday
After submitting your comment, consider joining us in person to express support at the Public Hearing on Wednesday, April 9th at 3:30pm. Sustain will be wearing green, and we encourage you to do the same in solidarity. The hearing may last into the evening—come when you can and stay as long as you're able. We will provide talking points for those who wish to speak.
Take the Extra Step
✔️ Share this with at least three friends and invite them to join you in expressing support!
✔️ Check out this Star Tribune Op-Ed written by our Co-Chairs about the need to amend rent stabilization!
✔️ Follow us on social media for more updates!
