Fair Housing in Minnesota

A Good, Safe Place to Live

This video by ECHO Minnesota does a great job of highlighting important things to remember in the landlord/renter relationship.

What is Fair Housing?

The Federal Fair Housing Act and the Minnesota Human Rights Act prohibit housing discrimination based on:

 

• Race
• Color
• Religion
• Sex
• Disability
• Familial Status
• National Origin
• Creed
• Sexual or Affectional Orientation
• Ancestry (Minneapolis and Saint Paul)
• Marital Status
• Receipt of Public Assistance
• Age (Saint Paul)

 

Renter's Fair Housing Rights
Someone seeking to rent an apartment, home, townhome, condo, duplex, or other rental property in Minnesota should have housing choice without discrimination or other limitations based on race, color, religion, sex, disability, familial status, national origin, creed, sexual or affectional orientation, ancestry (Minneapolis and Saint Paul), marital status, receipt of public assistance, or age (Saint Paul). This includes the right to expect equal professional service, the opportunity to view all available housing openings for which one qualifies, no limitations on communities or locations of housing, no discrimination in pricing or lease terms, reasonable accommodations in rules, practices, and procedures for persons with disabilities, and an environment free from harassment and intimidation.

What should I do if my Fair Housing rights were violated and I experienced discrimination?
You may file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) by calling 1.800.765.9372, filing a complaint online, or writing a letter of complaint to HUD. Include in your letter:

• Your name and address
• The name and address of the person about whom you are complaining
• The address of the house or apartment you were trying to rent
• The date when the incident occurred
• A short description of what happened

Mail your letter to:
Chicago Regional Office of FHEO
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
Ralph H. Metcalfe Federal Building
77 West Jackson Boulevard, Room 2101
Chicago, IL 60604-3507

Property Owner's and Manager's Fair Housing Responsibilities
Landlords in Minnesota are required by law to not discriminate in the rental of property based on race, color, religion, sex, disability, familial status, national origin, creed, sexual or affectional orientation, ancestry (Minneapolis and Saint Paul), marital status, receipt of public assistance, or age (Saint Paul). In addition, they may not offer discriminatory lease terms or conditions, deny housing that is available, or advertise that the rental property is available only to certain people, while excluding any of the protected classes.

Fair Housing History
The term "fair housing" came from a political movement in the 1960s to outlaw discrimination in the rental or purchase of homes and a broad range of other housing-related transactions, such as advertising, mortgage lending, homeowner's insurance and zoning. Inspired by the civil rights movement and the work of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and at the urging of President Johnson, Congress passed the Federal Fair Housing Act (Title VIII of the Civil Rights Act of 1968).

The primary purpose of the Fair Housing Act of 1968 is to protect renters from landlord discrimination. The goal is a housing market in which a person's race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, or familial status does not restrict access to housing. Everyone should have equal access to housing opportunities.

HousingLink is a Fair Housing Organization
We do not discriminate against persons on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, familial status, disability, creed, marital status, public assistance, ancestry, sexual or affectional orientation, or age.


Look for the symbol to quickly spot organizations and individuals who comply with the Federal Housing and Urban Development policies covering fair housing and equal opportunities.

 

Fair Housing Resources

Fair Housing Information Document
Protected Class Definitions
HUD Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity
HUD document on Reasonable Modifications
Minnesota Multi Housing Association
Tenant Advocacy 
Legal Help for Renters