The Housing Justice League is a coalition of community based organizations advocating for policy change and building grassroots support for housing justice in Minneapolis.
Housing Justice League
Pause Evictions, Save Lives
Workers across Minneapolis —both immigrants and non-immigrants—have been unable to attend work as usual due to fear of harassment, because their employer has closed their local business, or because their children’s school or childcare facility has closed and they cannot get childcare coverage. Without stable work, renters living paycheck to paycheck can quickly fall behind on payments through no fault of their own. The proposed ordinance would temporarily extend eviction pre-filing notice by 30 days, giving renters critical time to access rental assistance and other resources they need to restabilize their households.
Tenant Opportunity to Purchase
A strong Tenant Opportunity to Purchase (TOPA) policy would give all renters the first right to purchase their building when it goes for sale, or transfer that right to a buyer of their choosing. TOPA is a tenant empowerment tool that seeks to address the power imbalance between property owners and the renters who pay the mortgage. A Minneapolis Tenant Opportunity to Purchase Act would promote the transfer of property ownership into the hands of tenants and affordable housing developers by enabling tenants to exercise a first right of purchase when the landlord chooses to sell. Landlords would be required to give notice to tenants and then allow a period of time for tenants to express interest, make an offer, and secure funding. If tenants are not interested in owning the property, they can assign or sell their right.
Organizers in Action
Jovita Morales shares insights about her work and the housing challenges community members face every day. Morales is the Policy and Advocacy Community Organizer at Pillsbury United Communities, and serves on the steering committee of the Housing Justice League.
“I’ve had the chance to organize—last year on benefits cliff issues and with communities across Minneapolis, predominantly Somali and Oromo, Native American, Hispanic, and African American people. One thing I’ve found is that across different cultures there are unique challenges—and also many commonalities,” she says. When it comes to housing, those commonalities are clear: everyone is struggling to find an affordable place to live.
2025 Minneapolis Housing Survey
The Housing Justice League coalition partnered with Neighbors for More Neighbors, Inquilinxs Unidxs Por Justicia, Wedge LIVE!, Housing in Action and BikeMN to sponsor a housing questionnaire for the 2025 Minneapolis Elections. “We hope this housing questionnaire will inform Minneapolis voters when they cast their vote in November. We challenge our candidates to share how they will ensure everyone has access to a safe and secure home in Minneapolis, and what they will advocate for as the next Comprehensive Plan is developed.” Candidates shared their views on TOPA, Just Cause, rent stabilization, and more. Learn more
At our August 2023 Actualizing Equity event we heard how Housing Justice League organizers are advancing the next stage of this critical work building a movement for housing equity. Read the recap!