Launching the Keep St. Paul Home campaign for rent stabilization
Too many of us have friends, family, co-workers and neighbors who have been forced out of our community because they couldn't pay the rent. For years, corporate and predatory landlords have been raising rents far beyond families' income growth. This housing cost-burden is disproportionately impacting Black, Indigenous, Latino, and Asian households, and increasing levels of housing instability and homelessness. We need a policy that will keep tenants, especially low-wealth and BIPOC households, from getting priced out of their homes.
That’s why this week, we’ve launched a historic housing justice campaign in St. Paul, with events coming up right in our neighborhood. WSCO, as a member of the HENS coalition, is proud to be part of this effort to Keep St. Paul Home for all.
Whether you’re a renter, a homeowner, or a landlord, rent stabilization benefits you and the entire community, and we need your help to gather 10,000 signatures by June 15th in order to get this on the November ballot! Read on to learn more about how to take action, including where to sign, how to join the West Side Tenants Assembly, or how to connect with our Allied Homeowners and Landlords committee.
Sign the petition!
Come through Saturday afternoon to learn more about the campaign for rent stabilization, and sign the petition! Did we mention the cheesy fries, tamales, and ice cream delights available at Icy Cup’s grand opening?
- When: Saturday, April 3rd from 12-6pm
- Where: Icy Cup, 63 George St W., West Side
- RSVP and invite your neighbors on the Facebook event page
Can’t make it? Catch us at one of many events around the city over the coming weeks!
Get informed:
“Rent stabilization is a proven policy that protects tenants from unreasonable rent spikes, accounts for the operating expenses of landlords and is cost-effective for our city and taxpayers." – Tram Hoang, Policy Advocate at The Alliance, quoted in the Start Tribune: Petition drive kicks off in St. Paul to put rent control on the November ballot
Our coalition is advocating for a rent stabilization policy that limits the rate of rent increase in a 12-month period to 3%. This allowable increase would apply to all rental units across the city, meaning it would protect ALL renters from egregious rent increases. The full text of the proposed ordinance can be found here.
Learn more at upcoming virtual workshops, like this one on April 7th! And don’t miss this video of community organizers speaking at our most recent press conference.
We know you have questions. Is rent stabilization legal? Does it work? We’ve got answers!
Check out this FAQ, with answers to your most burning questions, like What is rent stabilization? and Why do we need it?
Get active!
Interested in getting involved in the campaign for rent stabilization? Want to help collect signatures but don’t know how? Join us for door knocking and volunteer training. We’ll go over key messaging, practice the script, and get comfortable with door-to-door canvassing (weather permitting). COVID safety practices are in place to ensure we stay healthy!
- Date: Saturday, April 10
- Time: 11am-12:30pm
- Location: outside at the Baker Center - find us by the playground!
RSVP (and invite your friends!) on Facebook and our website event page.
Even more ways to get involved!
- Everybody: Join our West Side Housing Justice Action Circle, Tuesday April 13 at 6pm!
- Renters: join the West Side tenant assembly, coming up this summer. Email [email protected] for details.
- Allied homeowners and landlords: learn more about how you can support housing justice for all! Contact WSCO board member Martin Hernandez at [email protected]
- Share your story: contact Genevieve at [email protected] if you’d like to share your own experience as a renter or allied homeowner on the West Side.
- Connect online: Follow Housing Equity Now! St. Paul (HENS) on Facebook and Twitter, or check out the website here