A New Path for Rent Stabilization in Saint Paul – Join Us
This week, we have a chance to advocate for stronger housing protections for renters—while also opening the door to the new construction our city desperately needs.
With a city council vote right around the corner, our city is facing a critical housing shortage. Across Ramsey County, we’re short more than 15,000 deeply affordable homes—with 11,000 needed in Saint Paul alone. Unfortunately, the current rent stabilization policy has been linked to a sharp decline in new housing construction, making an already dire situation even worse. When there aren’t enough homes, rents rise, landlords gain leverage, and too many families are left without real choices or protections.
Sustain Saint Paul supported the original rent stabilization ordinance because renters needed immediate protections. But today, it is clear that not only is it not working, it is stifling our ability to meet our housing supply needs and unlock the growth we need for a more sustainable Saint Paul. We still believe deeply in the need to protect renters and fight for long-term affordability—which is why we now support amending the policy to unlock new housing construction while gaining even stronger tenant protections. Both are essential to solving this crisis.
That’s why we’re launching a campaign to support smart, balanced rent stabilization reforms—alongside citywide policies that both protect renters and make it easier to build the homes our communities need. We believe we can—and must—do both. And it starts now.
Join us this week for two public meetings hosted by your city councilmembers on Rent Stabilization and Tenant Protections. These events are our first opportunity to show up in support of stronger renter protections and practical rent stabilization reform. Let’s pack the room.
📍 If you live in Wards 1, 2, 3, or 7:
Attend the Thursday, March 27 meeting from 5:30–7:00 PM
Location: El Rio Vista Recreation Center, 179 Robie St E, Saint Paul, MN 55107
📍 If you live in Wards 5, 6, or 7:
Attend the Friday, March 28 meeting from 4:30–6:00 PM
Location: North End Community Center, 145 Lawson Ave W, Saint Paul, MN
Light refreshments will be served.
Can’t make the one in your ward? You’re still welcome to attend either meeting and show your support.
We can’t fix the housing crisis if we prevent new homes from being built. Just as importantly, we need stronger municipal tenant protections! Administrative citations that penalize negligent landlords was one step, and the restoration of SAFE Housing protections (Stable, Accessible, Fair, and Equitable) is another.
This is a critical moment for Saint Paul, and we need as many people in the room as possible.
Bring a friend. Bring your neighbor. Bring your family. We need to show our elected leaders that the public supports solutions rooted in equity, stability, and long-term affordability.
Thanks for being part of this moment. Sustain Saint Paul is powered by people like you—neighbors, renters, and housing advocates who believe our city can and must do better.
✔️ Can’t make it this week? Don’t worry—there’s more to come.
✔️ The public comment period opens Thursday, March 27, and the public hearing is scheduled for April 9—mark your calendar and make your voice heard.
✔️ Follow @SustainStPaul on Twitter/Bluesky and keep an eye on your inbox for upcoming events, resources, and talking points.
Let’s get to work. The future of housing in Saint Paul is being shaped over the next three weeks—and this is our window to make a difference.
Sustain Saint Paul
