Community organizers gather to demand that the City Council pass a strong, equitable Tenant Opportunity to Purchase Act
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
On October 5th, Minneapolis residents will gather to urge the City Council to pass a policy that would expand homeownership and economic opportunity for renters. The policy, known as TOPA, or Tenant Opportunity to Purchase Act, would grant renters the right to make the first bid when their building or home goes up for sale.
Event details
- When: Sun., Oct. 5th, 2025, press conference begins at 3:30PM, event runs from 2pm-4pm
- Where: Sumner Public Library, 611 Van White Memorial Blvd, Minneapolis
- Event name: Harvesting Housing Justice: Community Organizing Fair and Sukkot Celebration
- Organized by the Housing Justice League
Key points
- TOPA = Tenant Opportunity to Purchase Act
- Minneapolis has the opportunity to pass the largest housing policy in a decade
- Local benefits of TOPA: Preventing displacement, and expanding homeownership and economic opportunity for renters
- Mayoral candidates, city councilmembers largely support TOPA (see questionnaire results at http://thealliancetc.org/housingquestionnaire/)
- Local renters, not out of state or corporate buyers, should have the first chance to purchase their home if it goes up for sale
“Housing justice is more than keeping a roof over one’s head, it’s about giving people the power to stay rooted in the communities they’re living in. Policies like TOPA turn tenants into decision-makers, transforming displacement into dignity and homes into hope. We hope that you are inspired by today’s event. Change starts in spacing like this. The residents have been waiting for TOPA for years. It is high time to pass this policy. We are calling on the council to bring TOPA forward to public comment at the BHZ Committee meeting on Oct 14th and make this dream a reality by the end of 2025.”
Anndrea Young Executive Director, Heritage Park Neighborhood Association (pictured, above)
Speakers
- Anndrea Young, Executive Director, Heritage Park Neighborhood Association
- Ricardo Perez, Blue Line Coalition organizer and Chair of the Antidisplacement Community Prosperity Board
- Rabbi Joey Glick, Shir Tikvah
- Temi Ogunrinde, Equity & Engagement Director, Housing In Action
Contact
Juan Luis Rivera-Reyes, Coalition Organizer, The Alliance for Metropolitan Stability, juanluis@thealliancetc.org
Genevieve Roudane, Communications Manager, The Alliance for Metropolitan Stability, genevieve@thealliancetc.org, (651) 243-1357
About the Housing Justice League
The Housing Justice League is a coalition of community-based organizations advocating for policy change and building grassroots support for housing justice in Minneapolis.
Coalition members include Future of Us, Ayada Leads, Harrison Neighborhood Association, Heritage Park Neighborhood Association, HOME Line, Housing in Action, Housing Justice Center, Inquilinxs Unidxs por Justicia, Jewish Community Action, Minnesota Consortium of Community Developers, Minnesota Voice, Neighbors for More Neighbors, Pillsbury United Communities, and Powderhorn Park Neighborhood Association
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