In a city where half of city households are renters, basic equity demands that city resources reflect this reality. Nearly half the population deserves a government that actively educates them about their rights and holds bad landlords accountable.

Instead, living in Section 42 housing —federally subsidized apartments for low and moderate-income families — I’ve discovered that the real challenge doesn’t stop after finding affordable housing, but learning how to exercise tenant rights in a system designed to make that nearly impossible for working people.

The reality is stark: More than 59% of St. Paul renter households — 33,800 families — earn less than 60% of the area median income. For those of us who secure housing, the city’s scattered resources and weak enforcement mechanisms make p

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