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From Ward 5 Minneapolis City Council Member, Jeremiah Ellison.
Eid Mubarak to all who celebrate! May your heart be filled with joy, your home with laughter, and your life with endless blessings.
Yesterday was Trans Day of Visibility, and I want to take a moment to dedicate my unwavering support for the trans community. We celebrate and uplift the trans community, recognizing the strength, courage, and authenticity of trans and nonbinary individuals. Visibility matters—it fosters understanding, challenges discrimination, and affirms that every person deserves to live as their true self without fear. To our trans friends, family, and colleagues: we see you, we support you, and we stand with you today and every day.
Council Members Wonsley, Chavez, and I alongside Siya Shelar, representative from the University of Minnesota's Undergraduate Student Government, speaking at a press conference about legislation to ban algorithmic rental price fixing.
Minneapolis City Council Tackles Corporate Greed to Protect Renters
This past Thursday, Minneapolis City Council, led by Council Members Robin Wonsley, Council Member Chavez, and I, passed legislation to ban algorithmic rental price fixing. Minneapolis is the third city in the country to do so, after San Francisco and Philadelphia passed similar bans last year in September and October, respectively.
Companies like RealPage provide an algorithm for landlords to collude and exploit loopholes in price fixing law: landlords provide RealPage with data and RealPage’s algorithm, Yieldstar, recommends rent prices for landlords to maximize profits, drastically hiking up costs on seniors, students, families, and other renters. The corporate greed of RealPage and large landlords has created an anticompetitive housing market where renters can’t afford to stay in their homes and struggle to find a new place to live. In 2021, when discussing double digit rent increases in the country, RealPage executive Andrew Bowen said “I think [Yieldstar is] driving it, quite honestly.”
“Banning algorithms that landlords use to jack up the rent is one clear way that we can prevent some of the most egregious extractive practices that landlords are using to exploit renters,” said the ordinance’s lead author, Council Member Robin Wonsley. “Minneapolis is majority renters. Banning rent algorithms moves us closer to a city where every single renter has an affordable place to call home.”
Recently, the Department of Justice filed an antitrust lawsuit along with 30 other attorneys general against RealPage and six major landlords for creating an anticompetitive market. Litigation can take years, however, and renters experiencing soaring costs need relief now. That’s why the Council took the step to ban this renter exploitation tool now.
“Increased rents due to the use of algorithms negatively impact not only renters in properties that deploy them, they also distort the market for renters across Minneapolis and the region,” said Council Member Jason Chavez. “At a time when there aren't enough truly affordable housing options in Minneapolis, the City needs to look at every possible option we have to prevent predatory corporate actors from making housing unattainable for renters. This Council is not waiting for a drawn out legal process to determine whether these corporations violated antitrust laws. We took this step now because our residents can’t afford inaction.”
Algorithms that use non-public data to influence rent or occupancy rates caused renters to pay an extra $3.8 billion in rent in 2024, and Twin Cities renters in units managed with algorithms paid an average of $324 more per year than renters in units that were not managed by algorithms. Minneapolis is 52% renters, and people of color are disproportionately renters in Minneapolis, meaning exploitative practices by landlords disproportionately extract wealth from people of color.
The use of algorithmic rent-setting tools undermines the fairness and competitiveness of our housing market, artificially inflating rents and pushing residents out of their homes. This ordinance is about restoring transparency and ensuring that rental prices are set through fair competition, not secretive algorithms designed to maximize profits at the expense of tenants. By taking this step, we are standing up for affordability, accountability, and a housing market that works for everyone in Minneapolis—not just corporate landlords.
Click here to watch the press conference my colleagues and I hosted regarding this ordinance.
Minneapolis to Become First City in North American to Own and Operate Biochar Facility
Minneapolis is making history by becoming the first city in North America to own and operate a biochar facility. The City will process wood waste from Xcel Energy’s tree trimming around power lines. The facility will transform the wood waste into biochar, a specialized charcoal that holds onto carbon dioxide. This helps clean the air while also serving as an extremely powerful soil amendment for growing plants and trees.
Read more about the plan for biochar on the City website.
New Rights for Minneapolis Renters
Minneapolis renters, you have housing rights that protect you. Two new renter rights went into effect March 1.
Changes to the pre-eviction filing notice for unpaid rent
- Renters at risk of being evicted for not paying their rent will now have a longer notice.
- Before property owners start the eviction process, they must now give renters 30 days’ notice. Before, the notice period was 14 days. The period begins once the notice is mailed or the day it’s hand-delivered to the renter.
Mandatory information from property owners
- In 2024, Council Member Wonsley authored and passed an ordinance that set a new standard for transparency in renting. The ordinance helps new renters learn more about the places they call home and their protections and resources. Property owners must share some information before new renters sign a lease, and other information within 90 days after the lease starts.
- Make sure to visit the City website to see the full explanation of what property owners must share and when.
Trump Administration Pulls Immunization Funding Impacting Minneapolis Health Department
The federal government has pulled back all of its COVID-19 funds. This means that City of Minneapolis work around vaccination clinics and immunization education is stopped. The impact on the community is substantial as we’re canceling the five free clinics in April and do not know the future of our vaccination services right now. Decisions at the federal level are impacting lives in our community and hurting employees dedicated to making Minneapolis a healthy place to live.
In 2024, the Minneapolis Health Department partnered with community organizations to hold 87 vaccine clinics in underserved communities. The clinics provided more than 800 COVID-19 shots, more than 700 flu shots and more than 500 mpox shots.
The decision also impacts the immunization work of three Health Department employees. The City is evaluating all options. In the meantime, the three employees will remain on staff and be funded by other sources.
Read more on the City website.
Recruiting members for boards and commissions opens March 1. We’re looking for applicants with a diversity of backgrounds and experiences representing the demographics of Minneapolis to strengthen the work of the City. Translation and interpreting are available so all residents can participate.
Serving on City boards and commissions offers a direct way for residents to advise City leadership about topics important to them. This is a way to help make changes and improvements that affect your community.
Applications will be taken in March for these boards and commissions:
- Advisory Committee on Aging
- Advisory Committee on Disabilities
- Advisory Committee on Housing
- Bicycle Advisory Committee
- Community Commission on Police Oversight (applications open until March 16)
- Homegrown Food Council
- Pedestrian Advisory Committee
- Public Health Advisory Committee
Application period has been extended to April 20th, 2025.
Are you experiencing struggles with food insecurity, housing, career readiness, and legal matters? Are you in need of help? Please look below to see which resources can be beneficial to you.
Career Readiness
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Project for Pride in Living (PPL)
- PPL builds the hope, assets, and self-reliance of individuals and families who have lower incomes by providing transformative affordable housing and career readiness services.
Family Support & Educational Programming
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Way to Grow
- Way to Grow is a nonprofit organization on the Northside that provides free, year-round family support and educational programming for families in Minneapolis and in surrounding suburbs.
Food Insecurity
- EMERGE Youth-Led Food Shelf
- Days/Times: Weekly on Mondays, Tuesdays, & Wednesdays from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM
- Location: ECTC, 1834 Emerson Avenue North, Minneapolis, MN 55411.
- Free Dinner
- Days/Times: Weekly on Tuesdays at 6:00 PM
- Salem Lutheran Church, 4150 Dupont Avenue North, Minneapolis, MN
- Contact: 612-521-3644
- Haven Community Pantry
- Days/Times: Weekly on Wednesdays & Thursdays from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM
- Location: Sanctuary Covenant Church, 2018 Aldrich Avenue North, Minneapolis, MN 55411
Free/Discounted Internet
Housing/Tenant Protections
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Home Line
- This organization provides free and low-cost legal, organizing, education, and advocacy services so that tenants throughout Minnesota can solve their own rental housing problems.
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United Renters for Justice/Inquilinxs Unidxs por Justicia
- United Renters for Justice/Inquilinxs Unidxs por Justicia is a base-building nonprofit working to transform the Minneapolis housing system.
Legal Representation
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Attorney General Keith Ellison's Office
- The Minnesota Attorney General’s Office appreciates hearing from members of the public. In many cases, they are able to provide direct assistance to people. Hearing from members of the public also alerts us to problems occurring in the marketplace.
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Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid
- This organization provides free legal aid to people with low-income, disabilities, and seniors in 20 Central Minnesota counties. These services include, but are not limited to:
- Debt collection and unfair loans
- Disability-related cases
- Divorce and child custody
- Domestic violence
- Elder abuse
- Housing discrimination and evictions
- Immigration and citizenship
- IRS Tax Issues
Minneapolis 311
- Need to report an issue? Can't find the right information? Minneapolis 311 can help. 311 coordinates with City departments and service providers to report your concerns, find you information and connect you with nonemergency City services.
- There are many ways to get in contact with Minneapolis 311 for non-emergency information. Choose what's easiest for you.
- Call 311. Agents are here to answer your call 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday. Call 311 from within city limits or 612-673-3000.
- Email 311. You can email 311 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Agents will respond 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday.
- Text 311. You can text 311 a short question any time. Just text two or three keywords to 311TXT (311898) to receive an answer from the Minneapolis 311 information database on your mobile phone.
- Get the 311 mobile app. Report neighborhood issues on the 311 mobile app 24 hours a day.
- TTY. 311 agents use computer-based technology so hearing-impaired callers can easily communicate with the City using TDD/TTY devices. Call TTY 612-263-6850.
- Use the contact form. You can send 311 your comments or questions on the website contact form.
City of Minneapolis
The City of Minneapolis has a ton of job opportunities that span across multiple departments.
Recent Job Postings
Hennepin County
Hennepin County is the largest county in Minnesota and has a wide variety of job openings in different industries.
Recent Job Postings
Metropolitan Council
The Metropolitan Council is the regional policy-making body, planning agency, and provider of essential services in the seven-county Twin Cities metro area. The Metropolitan Council has a huge range of job openings in many areas of expertise.
Recent Job Postings
Nonprofit Organizations
Nonprofit organizations in the Twin Cities can be a great place to start to look for a new job/change in your career. Start by viewing the MN Council of Nonprofits Job Board here.
State of Minnesota
The State of Minnesota is a great place to start your job search. Click here to view job openings in the state.
Recent Job Postings
Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid has an in-person clinic in the Harrison neighborhood, offering free legal help! Legal Aid handles problems on this civil side (not criminal), including: housing, consumer, immigration, federal tax, public benefits, family law, and disability discrimination. Generally, clients must be Hennepin residents and be either lower income or aged 60+ (regardless of income).
Legal Clinic Details
- Days/Hours: Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM
- Location: Harrison Neighborhood Association (HNA), 1501 Glenwood Avenue, Minneapolis, MN 55405
- Walk-ins welcome/appointments preferred
- To schedule an appointment, call 612-352-9778. Residents can also call Legal Aid's central intake line: 1-877-696-6529 or visit www.mylegalaid.org.
- Patty Walton, pictured above in the yellow jacket, is a Community Clinics Fellow who is staffing the clinic in the Harrison Neighborhood.
Did you know that Minnesota offers free tax preparation services to certain Minnesotans that need to file a basic tax return? Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) sites exist across the state to help taxpayers who are: over age 60, a person with a disability, have limited English proficiency, or earn an annual income of less than $67,000.
AARP Tax-Aide sites also exist and have no age or income requirements. The volunteers at these sites can assist with preparing state and federal income tax returns and property tax refund applications.
The Department of Revenue's website allows you to find free preparation services in your area and also explains what you should bring to your appointment. Click here to find more information about free tax preparation sites.
First Generation Down Payment Assistance
Minnesota’s two new first-come, first-served, down payment assistance programs are still accepting applications, and 50% of allocated funds remain.
Hennepin County HRA Homebuyer Assistance Program
Limited Funds Available: Check Page For Updates
The Hennepin County Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HCHRA) created the Homebuyer Assistance Program to reduce racial disparities in homeownership. HCHRA will provide down payment financing to assist buyers interested in purchasing a home to have as their principal place of residence in Hennepin County.
Eligibility Requirements
- Borrower’s gross household income must be at or below 115% AMI.
First-time buyer: Borrower must not have an ownership interest in another property for the last 3 years.
- Borrower can have an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) or Social Security Number (SSN).
- Borrower must contribute at least $1,000 of their own funds toward the purchase.
- Housing Ratios: Borrower’s PITI must be within 20-35% (front end), not to exceed 50% (back-end) of gross income.
Required Education
- Certificate of Home Stretch group education within one year prior to purchase; see available workshops on Minnesota Homeownership Center website. Framework or other curriculums are not accepted. Sign up for NWHP workshops.
- Certificate of 1:1 Pre-purchase advising is required within one year of purchase. Sign up for NWHP pre-purchase advising.
- If there are two borrowers, both must complete Home Stretch and pre-purchase counseling.
Click here for more information and to apply for this program.
Northside Awesome Grant
Granted Awarded Monthly
The North Minneapolis Chapter of the Awesome Foundation grants support projects in business, sciences, arts, education, civic engagement, media, and entertainment — just about anything as long as it contributes to making the Northside of Minneapolis more AWESOME! And guess what – 501c3 status is not a requirement! The grants can go to groups, individuals, small non-profit organizations, almost any entity.
We prioritize applications that demonstrate clear ideas, project budgets, strong Northside connectivity and projects that positively impact the Northside. If you do not live in North Minneapolis or have a significantly strong connection to the Northside you will not likely be funded.
Apply by the end of each month to be eligible for a grant of up to $1000 for your Awesome Idea! One Grant of up to $1000 will be made each month. Click here to learn more and apply.
With more dark hours this time of year, you might notice lights out more on parkways or in parks. If you see a light not working, contact:
For Parkway Lights
For Path and Trail Lights in Parks
- Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board customer service: Call 612-230-6400 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Friday or email anytime.
- If you witness someone damaging a light, call 911.
Join me from 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM every Monday for Open Coffee Hours! These are informal and a chance for me to hear directly from you while we share coffee or a meal (virtually).
Office hours is on a first come first served basis. Please try not to call in past 12:50 p.m. as we want to leave enough time to chat about what you'd like to discuss.
Please RSVP here and my staff will follow-up with the call-in details. If you have any questions or concerns, reach out to Dieu Do, Policy Associate, at dieu.do@minneapolismn.gov.
You are invited to learn about and provide input on two proposed developments in the Harrison Neighborhood:
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Penn Wood Village & Fresh Food Market, currently the Penn-Wood Market site at 2125 Glenwood Ave, proposed to be a mixed-use project to include a market/grocery store and community space at the street level, and 86-units of affordable housing above.
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Senior Flats at 529 & 535 Logan Avenue, proposed to include 48-senior apartments (55 and older).
Community members are invited to provide input through a series of community meetings. Local developer James Archer, of Matrix Development, will be on hand to share information and gather ideas from the community on ways to improve the projects.
Mark your calendars for the following dates. Each session will be unique and build upon each other, so community members are encouraged to attend all four meetings. All meetings will be in-person. The events are free and open to the public.
Session 1: Overview of Penn Wood Village & Fresh Market Proposal (currently the Penn-Wood Market site)
- Date/Time: Wednesday, February 26th from 5:30 PM to 7:00 PM
- Location: Living Room, 1716 Glenwood Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55405
- The session will review the concept plan for the Penn Wood Village & Fresh Food Market and gather input on concerns and ways to improve the project. Presentation provided by local developer James Archer, Matrix Development.
Session 2: Panel Discussion - Potential Commercial Uses for Penn Wood Village
- Date/Time: Wednesday, March 12th from 5:30 PM to 7:00 PM
- Location: Living Room, 1716 Glenwood Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55405
- Explore the opportunities and challenges of potential commercial uses with a panel of market experts and grocery store options.
Session 3: Overview of Senior Flats Proposal at 529 & 535 Logan Avenue
- Date/Time: Wednesday, March 26th from 5:30 PM to 7:00 PM
- Location: Living Room, 1716 Glenwood Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55405
- The session will review the concept plan for Senior Flats and gather input on concerns and ways to improve the project. Presentation provided by local developer James Archer, Matrix Development.
Session 4: Create Final Recommendations for Penn Wood Village & Senior Flats
- Date/Time: Wednesday, April 9th from 5:30 PM to 7:00 PM
- Location: Living Room, 1716 Glenwood Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55405
- Participate in shaping the final recommendations for the Penn Wood Village and Fresh Food Market and Senior Flats proposals. The final recommendations will be submitted to the developer, James Archer, Matrix Development, MN Housing Finance Agency, and the City of Minneapolis.
To help us get a head-count for refreshments, please RSVP to Gretchen Nicholls, LISC Twin Cities, at gnicholls@lisc.org or 612-327-2149.
Childcare will be available for those that register one week in advance. Please contact Gretchen Nicholls at gnicholls@lisc.org to request childcare.
The Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) announced a new resource for federal employees who have recently lost their jobs or are facing employment uncertainty. There are around 18,000 federal employees in Minnesota and with an already competitive job market, it will be crucial to help these skilled workers re-enter the workforce and know their talents are still welcome in Minnesota.
Minnesota's federal workers can visit the Minnesota Careers Website to learn about available resources including:
- Job search and application preparation, including in-person and online workshops, resume reviews, and networking opportunities,
- Resources for veterans, and
- Instructions to apply for unemployment insurance benefits.
Federal employees, and other Minnesotans, affected by layoffs are encouraged to contact staff at a CareerForce location near you for help preparing for and finding employment.
Did you know that there are a ton of free events every week at your local library? From reading with an animal, to community chess, to researching the history of your home, there are endless opportunities to learn, connect, and play at your local library! Click here to view a full list of upcoming events.
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