----------------------------------------- steve meldahl wrote:
I have been a landlord in the inner city for 31 years. I presently have available for rent in 2 totally remodelled duplexes with the following: 1. 2 large 2 bedroom totally remodelled units with 3 car garage @ $850/mo 2. A huge 3 bedroom and a 2 level 4 bedroom, 2 bath unit available for $900 and $1200 respectfully. Both buildings are in good areas of North Mpls. The only, and I might add very very few callers I get off my ads are Section 8 tenants. I do not take Section 8 tenants any more because the average loss of my last 6 section 8 tenants averaged just over $5,000. [emphasis added] [snip] -------------------------------------------------------------------- JSK - The above statement is an admission to engaging in illegal discrimination. The Minnesota Human Rights Act, Minnesota Statute 363.03, subd. 2, provides that it is an unfair discrminatory practice fo refuse to rent or lease property because of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, marital status, STATUS WITH REGARD TO PUBLIC ASSISTANCE, disability, sexual orientation or familial status. Although I recall that landlords did lobby to amend the Human Rights Act to allow them to discriminate against Section 8 tenants, the effort evidently failed because there is no such exception in the statute. A blanket policy of refusing to rent to Section 8 tenants is indeed fundamentally prejudiced due to the flawed assumption that bad experiences with previous tenants who happend to receive public assistance must mean that there is something wrong with all tenants on public assistance. The honesty here is at least laudable. I suggest that Mr. Melhahl rectify his actions by calling back those section 8 tenants and offering to rent to them. Jordan Kushner Powderhorn _______________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
