That Damn City Government

There is a notorious slum landlord in Minneapolis--he may be Somali. He is a rebel with lots of rental properties with a list of inspection violations that would extend from here to Winnipeg.

In about December the bumbling, self-righteous City Council in Minneapolis decided to get tough on this scofflaw and revoked his renter's license. The result: all of his dozens, likely hundreds of renters are on the street, some with no place to live. How would you like to be homeless with a family at 10 below zero in Minneapolis in December, due to city government?

Now, in fairness to the City, they may have given tenants a 30 day notice to vacate. Whatever happened, I have a young black mother with 3 teenage kids, 3 months homeless now. They liked this landlord and they had a place to live int he winter in Minnesota, and the rent was affordable.

She is putting $2,000 per month on her credit card to stay at the hotel, and when the line of credit is exceeded, she gets kicked out on the street until she gets her paycheck (she is a PCA and works 80 hours a week) and pays down the credit card.

She is trying to get an apartment in north St. Paul, but the landlord there is having trouble evicting a troublesome tenant, and she cannot find housing.

The deputy or some cop showed up at her unit, and gave her and her kids 5 minutes to get their purses and phones, and get out or be arrested.

Where in hell is the social worker to transiiton these poor people to alternative, affordable housing?

Typical government: if the housing is not perfect, throw the book at the landlord, and throw tenants into the street until the units are in apple-pie order. That is fine but what are the homeless victims to do, that have no other place to live? Another unintended consequence from government, ham-fisted machinations. This gal has no home, no car, and is worried about her 13 year old daughter being safe on the streets and at the hotel. Thank you Minneapolis for helping the down and out.

When they are down, just give them a good kick in the ribs.