Tenant leaders and Organizers are at the Capitol this session trying to move tenant protections into law, to balance the power dynamic between tenants and landlords.

ACER is a member of Equity in Place, a coalition working to pass and reform state policies that are currently skewed in favor of developers, management companies and landlords. There are more than 620,000 renter households in Minnesota and all too often they are exploited by their landlords.

The Statewide Right to Organize would provide guarantees to tenants to come together, raise their concerns, and defend their right to dignified, well-maintained housing without facing retaliation and displacement. The bill would also prevent landlords from prohibiting tenant organizations or retaliating against organizing tenants.

When asked about the intentions of these tenant protection policies, Brian Bosire, a housing organizer with ACER said, “It’s not about giving more power to one over the other, it’s not about landlords vs tenants. It’s about creating harmony.”

ACER has been organizing tenants in Ridgebrook apartments in Brooklyn Park since July 2023. Issues include pests, untended maintenance repairs, lack of tenant safety, and lack of communications. Tenants are being charged hefty fees when they vocalize against unfair policies.

Marian Butler is an active tenant leader vocalizing the concerns of her neighbors at the Brooklyn Park city council and directly advocating with the city’s Mayor. “We need to come together as a community and speak up, and continue to speak up,” said Marian.

Read about Marian Butler’s testimony before the House Housing Finance and Policy Committee: https://www.house.mn.gov/SessionDaily/Story/18090