Minneapolis City Council passes Pause Evictions, Save Lives Ordinance protecting renters impacted by Operation Metro Surge
The temporary policy would extend the timeline for evictions, giving families more time to get rental assistance.
MINNEAPOLIS– Today the Minneapolis City Council passed Pause Evictions, Save Lives, an ordinance that would temporarily extend the pre-filing eviction notice from 30 days to 60 days through August 31, 2026. This temporary extension will provide renters more time to access resources for rental assistance.
Operation Metro Surge forced thousands of families to shelter in place due to fear of harassment, violence, or abduction by ICE. The federal occupation has pushed Minneapolis into a looming eviction crisis, with the city estimating the impact of federal actions to create an additional $15.7 million monthly need for rental support. Many residents of families have relied on mutual aid and Go-Fund me campaigns to pay rent due to their inability to go to work safely, but fundraising has significantly slowed down in recent weeks.
“Preventing eviction is always more cost-effective than trying to re-house someone who has been evicted. It’s also far more humane. Operation Metro Surge will cause a massive spike in homelessness unless local government steps in, which is why I led the City Council to both fund $1 million in rental assistance and now to pause evictions and save lives,” said Council Minority Leader Robin Wonsley, lead author on Pause Evictions, Save Lives.
“Today we are deciding whether we are going to help keep our neighbors in their homes or not, during a time when they need it the most. We have a data driven and informed solution in front of us that can address the crisis we are facing. Thank you to my colleagues who chose to center the needs of our neighbors. I am now urging Mayor Frey to sign off on this measure” said Council Member Soren Stevenson, who co-authored Pause Evictions, Save Lives
Council Vice President Jamal Osman co-authored Pause Evictions, Save Lives. He spoke directly to Mayor Frey and urged him not to veto the policy. “This is the time for the Mayor to stand up for immigrants. You showed up for press conferences and the promises were great, but we need you today. Please do not veto this policy.”
The ordinance will now go to Mayor Frey for approval or veto. The Saint Paul City Council will consider a temporary extension of pre-filing eviction notice from 30 to 60 days on March 18, 2026.
###
Visit: minneapolismn.gov/ward6
Email: jamal.osman@minneapolismn.gov
Phone: 612-673-2206
City Hall
350 S. Fifth St., Room 370
Minneapolis, MN 55415
For reasonable accommodations or alternative format please contact 311. People who are deaf or hard of hearing can use a relay service to call 311 at 612-673-3000. TTY users call 612-263-6850. Para asistencia, llame al 311. Rau kev pab 311. Hadii aad Caawimaad u baahantahay 311. |
