Robbinsdale Considers Moratorium on Crime-Free Housing Ordinance
The city of Robbinsdale is considering putting a moratorium on its crime-free housing ordinance. The policy allows the city to issue penalties to landlords or revoke their rental licenses if repeated criminal activities occur at or around their rental property. Landlords can also evict tenants under this policy.
The Robbinsdale City Council took up the issue during Tuesday night’s meeting.
“The moratorium ordinance which had the first reading last night is considering putting a temporary halt on the crime-free police addendum requirements from the city in rental properties,” explained Robbinsdale City Manager Marcia Glick.
The moratorium would last up to a year. Robbinsdale officials would use that time to study whether certain groups of people are treated differently under the practice.
“Because the crime-free lease addendums are specifically for rental property, not owner-occupied property, that there is a different standard for one group of people over another,” said Glick.
Robbinsdale Would Study Whether Policy is Discriminatory
Some residents say the ordinance is discriminatory because renters are disproportionately people of color who may be subjected to more police calls.
“Please don’t take the word of white people when they say residents like these rules, they like these laws. I would take the word of residents who are living in rental housing,” said resident Jennifer Hill during Tuesday’s council meeting.
Others had a different viewpoint.
“Is this really discriminatory? I mean, every resident is treated the same. Nothing in this ordinance does it say anything about race,” said resident Steve Summer.
There will be a second reading on the proposed moratorium on Oct. 20. In the meantime, the city would like to hear from residents living in rental properties.
