Homes for All Legislative Agenda Amendment Voting

* 1. 1. Lead Safe Homes Program:
This program would provide $2 million to fund programs in urban and rural areas to conduct lead testing and ensure housing units are lead safe. (This proposal was on the support agenda for 2019.)

2. Amend the Tenants Remedies Act (TRA):
Would ensure that a court appointed administrator of rental properties receives a priority lien on those properties so an administrator will have access to necessary capital to make required repairs to improve the standard of the affected rental housing in a timely manner. 

3. Pre-Eviction Notice & Court Reform:
A notice so tenants are notified before an eviction is filed against them and allow for 14 days before a formal eviction action can be brought in court in order to provide tenants an opportunity to fix the problem.  (This portion is already on the full agenda from 2019.)
Addition: Slow down the eviction process; tenants should have ample time to prepare for their defense to an eviction and additional time before a final judgement forces them out of their home. Judges and housing court referees should have more discretion to extend the court timeline throughout the eviction process.

4. Eviction Expungement Reform:
The proposal limits eviction reporting until a court judgement is rendered. It means the court must order an expungement if the defendant prevailed, the case is dismissed, the court finds that the eviction was ordered 3 years ago or more, the parties have agreed to expungement, or upon request of the tenant if the case is settled and the tenant fulfills the terms of settlement.  (This proposal was on the support agenda from 2019.)

5. Heat & Repairs Requirements:
a. Minnesota should have a statewide minimum heat code of 68 degrees if a tenant does not control the heat, from October 1 to April 30.
b. Equal fees; Currently, non-emergency court fees cost roughly $70, while the full filing court fee for emergencies is around $300. 
c. In addition to the emergency issues currently listed under Minnesota law (i.e. no running water or heat), the following should be added: no working refrigerator, no working air conditioning (if advertised), notice of condemnation for unsafe/unsanitary conditions, non-working elevators, and infestations. 

6. Lease Fairness:
a. Prohibit any non-refundable fees for non-optional services (i.e administrative fees, lease processing fees, and carpet cleaning fees). Administrative costs must be incorporated in the tenant's rent so they understand how much they’ll be paying each month before they enter into a lease. 
b. Tenants are entitled to privacy. Unless an emergency, a tenant should have a minimum of 24 hours-notice from the landlord prior to them entering the tenant's home. 
c. Renters who have a physician-certified medical condition, illness, or disability that hinders their ability to remain in their current housing situation should be able to end their lease with a 2-month notice if they must move to a medically-assisted or accessible housing unit. 

7. New Uses for Bonding:
a. Allow for the development of units at 50% AMI (especially targeted at 30% AMI) and under, not tied to supportive services with Housing Infrastructure Bonds (HIBs).
b. Allow a one-time use of bonds to be used for shelter.

Do you support adding these items to the full legislative agenda?