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98-31Council File # 9 g- 3( ORIGINAL Presented Referred To Committee Date I`l� 1 WI�REAS, the City of Saint Paul has the City of Saint Paul Human Rights Department to handle complaints of 2 discriinination and harassment in the workforce and in housing related issues; and 3 WIIEREAS, the City of Saint Paul City Council historically has affirmed the rights of the citizens of Saint Paul to 4 fair and equitable treatment in the workplace and in housing; and 5 WIIEREAS, the Minnesota Fair Housing Center recently released a report stating that there is discriminafion in the 6 rental housing market in the City of Saint Paul; now therefore be it 7 RESOLVED, that the Mayor's Administration, through the Director of Human Rights, report back to the Saint Paul 8 City Council by February 1 l, 1998 with an action plan to address housing discrimination in the City of Saint Paul. Requested by Department o£ � Adopted by Council: Date � � Adoptio Certified by Council S retary B � �� �,�-�,_,�_____--- Approved by Mayor: Date Green Sheet # 62187 RESOLUTION � O��NT PAUL, MINN.E � A�, ; �,; �; ir �.. , � /i �� Form Approved by City Attorney � Approved by Mayor for Submission to Council a� By: . � � J � ,� W `'� s .�a� � _ _ . cTo�.� � 1 c�cy coun��i Councilmember 14, 1998 Jan. 7, 1998 xuxeaecort ROUi�xc ORDER TOTAL # OF SIGNATURE PAGES GREEN SHEET oer�a�rtoueECraie . qg-31 No 6218'7 InItlNIDW anoomu. ❑ i1IYATlOMtEY ❑ p1YCLRR ❑ s�uxeutsmu¢nox ❑ wlixuuaom�xro ❑III�YatloRAiflsfMll) ❑ (CLIP ALL LOCATIONS FOR SIGNATURE) Requesting the Mayor`s Administration, through the Director of Human Rights, to report back to the City Council by February 11, 1998 with an action plan to address housing discrimination in the City of Saint Paul. PLANNING COMMISSION CIB COMMITTEE CIVIL SERVICE CAMMISSION ISSUE, Ah10UNT OF TRANSACTION RSONALSERViCE CONTIIACfS MUSTANSWERTHE FOLLAWING QUES7ION5: Has fhis Pe�rm ever wqketl under a contiaot for Mis tlepartmeM? VES NO Has Mis pe�arnRirm ever been a cily empbyee9 YES NO Does this pe�son/fiim poaseas a slali not nomiailyposseccetl by any curtmt cdy employee? VES NO Is thie peisoNfiim a farpetetl vendoR YES NO COSTlREVENUE BUDOETED (CIRCLE ON� , YES NO ACTIVITY NUMBER � � i�i JAN 07 1998 9�' � Report on the Fair Housing Audit of the Highland Park Neighborhood �rhin the City of Saint Paul Minnesota Fair Housing Center Saint Paul Minnesota Novanber 1997 PREFACE The Minnesota Fair Housing Center (MFFIC) , founded in 1991, is one of 120 fair housing organizations in the country devoted to promoting compliance with fair housing laws through research, education and advocacy. MFIiC is a nonprofit corporation with offices in the City of Saint Paul and active throughout the State of Minnesota The information contained herein is a report on the results o£ a fair housinq audit of rental housing in the Highland Park neighborhood of St. Paul. A totai of 26 tests were completed using 52 testers. The tests were conducted under the supervision of Christy Snow, Program Director at MFHC. Ms Snow received her training under the auspices of the Detroit MeCropolitan Eair Housing Center, one of the founding fair housing organizations in the country and a pioneer in fair housing testing. Each test was reviewed and evaluated by MFHC's executive director, Lawrence A. Winans, an attorney at law. SUt8y1AEtY The Minnesota Fair Housing Center (MFHC) conducted a series of tests in the Highiand Park neigiibornood of St. Paul in order to determine the nature and extent of housing discriminaiion in the rental market based on an applicants race. In a test of rental housing, two individuals are trained and prepared to pose as applicants. They are scripted to assume identical characteristics except for the £actor under inquiry. If we were testing for the evidence of discrimination against persons with disability then one tester would be disabled, if testing for evidence of discrimination against fam.i.lies with children then one tester would have chil�iren. In this audit, we tested for evidence of discrimi.nation against African-Americans and therefore, one tester was white and the other black. Testers are assigned to meet with the landlord or buildinq agent, record their experience, and submit a written record to ME'HC's staff. Testers do not determi.ne the existence of discrimination. Testers report only the facts surroundinq their visit, eg., what was said, what was done. MFfiC then makes an assessment of those reported facts to determ3.ne if there are differences in the way the testers were treated. If significant differences in treatment are found it is logically attributed to the characteristic under investigation, in this case, race. The technique is substantially similar to that used in the retail trade and identified as "the mystery shopper". � qg-�� . Testers are recr�i�ed and screened �or aptitude in conducting a test. Not everyone who volunteers is suitable for this unique biend of acting and innestigating role. All testers complete a two hour training prior to being assigned a test. Testers are expected to be neutral and objective in their approach and manner. Testers are informed that they are objective observers of the facts; that they are not assigned to find discrimination, they are trained to report facts. Although the gurpose of the Highland Park audit was to ascertain differences in treatment based on race, the information collected evidenced several instances of differential treatment due to status as a recipient of public assistance, familial status and marital status in addition to differences attributed to race. The findings of the audit: • Twenty-six (26) tests were completed in the Highland Park aeighhQrhood over a five month period. • In 69.2� of the cases, 18 out of 26, differences in treatment were identified as a consequence of race, familial status, public assistance status or marital status. • In 50� of the cases, 13 out of 26, differences in treatment were found based on race. • In 11.5 � of the cases, 3 out of 26, difference in � treatment were based on receipt of public assistance. �$ -3� y _ • In 3.8 � of the cases, 1 out of 26, difference in treatment was based or_ fami].ial status. • In 3.8� of the cases, 1 out of 26, dif`erence in treatment was based on maritai status. This study was not designed to measure discrimination based on familial status or public assistance status, therefore, it would be inaccurate to assume that such practices are either more or less prevalent. MFHC does not suggest that its findings support any contention other than that of discri.mi.nation due to apparent racial bias. Ia all of the cases, testers were given incomes that would qualify them for a unit - incomes were always set at three times the cost of the unit. In addition, testers did not have children in their households. In the instances of differences based on familial status or public assistance status, the agents made a statement categorically excluding families with children or agents mandated that tenants must have employment. �'►+;a report has beea prepared xith the support of Ram.sep Actioa Programs, a c�+^�tp action aqencq serriag Ramsep and AasBiagton couaties. For further i.afoxmation about the audi.t or housi.ag °18'- 3� �;acr++T+�=tioa, please coatact the Minaesota Fair Hcusing Ceater, 2700 Universitp Aveaue Aest, Suite 40, Saiat Paul, Minn° 55114. Tel: (6Z21 917-8869 Council File # 9 g- 3( ORIGINAL Presented Referred To Committee Date I`l� 1 WI�REAS, the City of Saint Paul has the City of Saint Paul Human Rights Department to handle complaints of 2 discriinination and harassment in the workforce and in housing related issues; and 3 WIIEREAS, the City of Saint Paul City Council historically has affirmed the rights of the citizens of Saint Paul to 4 fair and equitable treatment in the workplace and in housing; and 5 WIIEREAS, the Minnesota Fair Housing Center recently released a report stating that there is discriminafion in the 6 rental housing market in the City of Saint Paul; now therefore be it 7 RESOLVED, that the Mayor's Administration, through the Director of Human Rights, report back to the Saint Paul 8 City Council by February 1 l, 1998 with an action plan to address housing discrimination in the City of Saint Paul. Requested by Department o£ � Adopted by Council: Date � � Adoptio Certified by Council S retary B � �� �,�-�,_,�_____--- Approved by Mayor: Date Green Sheet # 62187 RESOLUTION � O��NT PAUL, MINN.E � A�, ; �,; �; ir �.. , � /i �� Form Approved by City Attorney � Approved by Mayor for Submission to Council a� By: . � � J � ,� W `'� s .�a� � _ _ . cTo�.� � 1 c�cy coun��i Councilmember 14, 1998 Jan. 7, 1998 xuxeaecort ROUi�xc ORDER TOTAL # OF SIGNATURE PAGES GREEN SHEET oer�a�rtoueECraie . qg-31 No 6218'7 InItlNIDW anoomu. ❑ i1IYATlOMtEY ❑ p1YCLRR ❑ s�uxeutsmu¢nox ❑ wlixuuaom�xro ❑III�YatloRAiflsfMll) ❑ (CLIP ALL LOCATIONS FOR SIGNATURE) Requesting the Mayor`s Administration, through the Director of Human Rights, to report back to the City Council by February 11, 1998 with an action plan to address housing discrimination in the City of Saint Paul. PLANNING COMMISSION CIB COMMITTEE CIVIL SERVICE CAMMISSION ISSUE, Ah10UNT OF TRANSACTION RSONALSERViCE CONTIIACfS MUSTANSWERTHE FOLLAWING QUES7ION5: Has fhis Pe�rm ever wqketl under a contiaot for Mis tlepartmeM? VES NO Has Mis pe�arnRirm ever been a cily empbyee9 YES NO Does this pe�son/fiim poaseas a slali not nomiailyposseccetl by any curtmt cdy employee? VES NO Is thie peisoNfiim a farpetetl vendoR YES NO COSTlREVENUE BUDOETED (CIRCLE ON� , YES NO ACTIVITY NUMBER � � i�i JAN 07 1998 9�' � Report on the Fair Housing Audit of the Highland Park Neighborhood �rhin the City of Saint Paul Minnesota Fair Housing Center Saint Paul Minnesota Novanber 1997 PREFACE The Minnesota Fair Housing Center (MFFIC) , founded in 1991, is one of 120 fair housing organizations in the country devoted to promoting compliance with fair housing laws through research, education and advocacy. MFIiC is a nonprofit corporation with offices in the City of Saint Paul and active throughout the State of Minnesota The information contained herein is a report on the results o£ a fair housinq audit of rental housing in the Highland Park neighborhood of St. Paul. A totai of 26 tests were completed using 52 testers. The tests were conducted under the supervision of Christy Snow, Program Director at MFHC. Ms Snow received her training under the auspices of the Detroit MeCropolitan Eair Housing Center, one of the founding fair housing organizations in the country and a pioneer in fair housing testing. Each test was reviewed and evaluated by MFHC's executive director, Lawrence A. Winans, an attorney at law. SUt8y1AEtY The Minnesota Fair Housing Center (MFHC) conducted a series of tests in the Highiand Park neigiibornood of St. Paul in order to determine the nature and extent of housing discriminaiion in the rental market based on an applicants race. In a test of rental housing, two individuals are trained and prepared to pose as applicants. They are scripted to assume identical characteristics except for the £actor under inquiry. If we were testing for the evidence of discrimination against persons with disability then one tester would be disabled, if testing for evidence of discrimination against fam.i.lies with children then one tester would have chil�iren. In this audit, we tested for evidence of discrimi.nation against African-Americans and therefore, one tester was white and the other black. Testers are assigned to meet with the landlord or buildinq agent, record their experience, and submit a written record to ME'HC's staff. Testers do not determi.ne the existence of discrimination. Testers report only the facts surroundinq their visit, eg., what was said, what was done. MFfiC then makes an assessment of those reported facts to determ3.ne if there are differences in the way the testers were treated. If significant differences in treatment are found it is logically attributed to the characteristic under investigation, in this case, race. The technique is substantially similar to that used in the retail trade and identified as "the mystery shopper". � qg-�� . Testers are recr�i�ed and screened �or aptitude in conducting a test. Not everyone who volunteers is suitable for this unique biend of acting and innestigating role. All testers complete a two hour training prior to being assigned a test. Testers are expected to be neutral and objective in their approach and manner. Testers are informed that they are objective observers of the facts; that they are not assigned to find discrimination, they are trained to report facts. Although the gurpose of the Highland Park audit was to ascertain differences in treatment based on race, the information collected evidenced several instances of differential treatment due to status as a recipient of public assistance, familial status and marital status in addition to differences attributed to race. The findings of the audit: • Twenty-six (26) tests were completed in the Highland Park aeighhQrhood over a five month period. • In 69.2� of the cases, 18 out of 26, differences in treatment were identified as a consequence of race, familial status, public assistance status or marital status. • In 50� of the cases, 13 out of 26, differences in treatment were found based on race. • In 11.5 � of the cases, 3 out of 26, difference in � treatment were based on receipt of public assistance. �$ -3� y _ • In 3.8 � of the cases, 1 out of 26, difference in treatment was based or_ fami].ial status. • In 3.8� of the cases, 1 out of 26, dif`erence in treatment was based on maritai status. This study was not designed to measure discrimination based on familial status or public assistance status, therefore, it would be inaccurate to assume that such practices are either more or less prevalent. MFHC does not suggest that its findings support any contention other than that of discri.mi.nation due to apparent racial bias. Ia all of the cases, testers were given incomes that would qualify them for a unit - incomes were always set at three times the cost of the unit. In addition, testers did not have children in their households. In the instances of differences based on familial status or public assistance status, the agents made a statement categorically excluding families with children or agents mandated that tenants must have employment. �'►+;a report has beea prepared xith the support of Ram.sep Actioa Programs, a c�+^�tp action aqencq serriag Ramsep and AasBiagton couaties. For further i.afoxmation about the audi.t or housi.ag °18'- 3� �;acr++T+�=tioa, please coatact the Minaesota Fair Hcusing Ceater, 2700 Universitp Aveaue Aest, Suite 40, Saiat Paul, Minn° 55114. Tel: (6Z21 917-8869 Council File # 9 g- 3( ORIGINAL Presented Referred To Committee Date I`l� 1 WI�REAS, the City of Saint Paul has the City of Saint Paul Human Rights Department to handle complaints of 2 discriinination and harassment in the workforce and in housing related issues; and 3 WIIEREAS, the City of Saint Paul City Council historically has affirmed the rights of the citizens of Saint Paul to 4 fair and equitable treatment in the workplace and in housing; and 5 WIIEREAS, the Minnesota Fair Housing Center recently released a report stating that there is discriminafion in the 6 rental housing market in the City of Saint Paul; now therefore be it 7 RESOLVED, that the Mayor's Administration, through the Director of Human Rights, report back to the Saint Paul 8 City Council by February 1 l, 1998 with an action plan to address housing discrimination in the City of Saint Paul. Requested by Department o£ � Adopted by Council: Date � � Adoptio Certified by Council S retary B � �� �,�-�,_,�_____--- Approved by Mayor: Date Green Sheet # 62187 RESOLUTION � O��NT PAUL, MINN.E � A�, ; �,; �; ir �.. , � /i �� Form Approved by City Attorney � Approved by Mayor for Submission to Council a� By: . � � J � ,� W `'� s .�a� � _ _ . cTo�.� � 1 c�cy coun��i Councilmember 14, 1998 Jan. 7, 1998 xuxeaecort ROUi�xc ORDER TOTAL # OF SIGNATURE PAGES GREEN SHEET oer�a�rtoueECraie . qg-31 No 6218'7 InItlNIDW anoomu. ❑ i1IYATlOMtEY ❑ p1YCLRR ❑ s�uxeutsmu¢nox ❑ wlixuuaom�xro ❑III�YatloRAiflsfMll) ❑ (CLIP ALL LOCATIONS FOR SIGNATURE) Requesting the Mayor`s Administration, through the Director of Human Rights, to report back to the City Council by February 11, 1998 with an action plan to address housing discrimination in the City of Saint Paul. PLANNING COMMISSION CIB COMMITTEE CIVIL SERVICE CAMMISSION ISSUE, Ah10UNT OF TRANSACTION RSONALSERViCE CONTIIACfS MUSTANSWERTHE FOLLAWING QUES7ION5: Has fhis Pe�rm ever wqketl under a contiaot for Mis tlepartmeM? VES NO Has Mis pe�arnRirm ever been a cily empbyee9 YES NO Does this pe�son/fiim poaseas a slali not nomiailyposseccetl by any curtmt cdy employee? VES NO Is thie peisoNfiim a farpetetl vendoR YES NO COSTlREVENUE BUDOETED (CIRCLE ON� , YES NO ACTIVITY NUMBER � � i�i JAN 07 1998 9�' � Report on the Fair Housing Audit of the Highland Park Neighborhood �rhin the City of Saint Paul Minnesota Fair Housing Center Saint Paul Minnesota Novanber 1997 PREFACE The Minnesota Fair Housing Center (MFFIC) , founded in 1991, is one of 120 fair housing organizations in the country devoted to promoting compliance with fair housing laws through research, education and advocacy. MFIiC is a nonprofit corporation with offices in the City of Saint Paul and active throughout the State of Minnesota The information contained herein is a report on the results o£ a fair housinq audit of rental housing in the Highland Park neighborhood of St. Paul. A totai of 26 tests were completed using 52 testers. The tests were conducted under the supervision of Christy Snow, Program Director at MFHC. Ms Snow received her training under the auspices of the Detroit MeCropolitan Eair Housing Center, one of the founding fair housing organizations in the country and a pioneer in fair housing testing. Each test was reviewed and evaluated by MFHC's executive director, Lawrence A. Winans, an attorney at law. SUt8y1AEtY The Minnesota Fair Housing Center (MFHC) conducted a series of tests in the Highiand Park neigiibornood of St. Paul in order to determine the nature and extent of housing discriminaiion in the rental market based on an applicants race. In a test of rental housing, two individuals are trained and prepared to pose as applicants. They are scripted to assume identical characteristics except for the £actor under inquiry. If we were testing for the evidence of discrimination against persons with disability then one tester would be disabled, if testing for evidence of discrimination against fam.i.lies with children then one tester would have chil�iren. In this audit, we tested for evidence of discrimi.nation against African-Americans and therefore, one tester was white and the other black. Testers are assigned to meet with the landlord or buildinq agent, record their experience, and submit a written record to ME'HC's staff. Testers do not determi.ne the existence of discrimination. Testers report only the facts surroundinq their visit, eg., what was said, what was done. MFfiC then makes an assessment of those reported facts to determ3.ne if there are differences in the way the testers were treated. If significant differences in treatment are found it is logically attributed to the characteristic under investigation, in this case, race. The technique is substantially similar to that used in the retail trade and identified as "the mystery shopper". � qg-�� . Testers are recr�i�ed and screened �or aptitude in conducting a test. Not everyone who volunteers is suitable for this unique biend of acting and innestigating role. All testers complete a two hour training prior to being assigned a test. Testers are expected to be neutral and objective in their approach and manner. Testers are informed that they are objective observers of the facts; that they are not assigned to find discrimination, they are trained to report facts. Although the gurpose of the Highland Park audit was to ascertain differences in treatment based on race, the information collected evidenced several instances of differential treatment due to status as a recipient of public assistance, familial status and marital status in addition to differences attributed to race. The findings of the audit: • Twenty-six (26) tests were completed in the Highland Park aeighhQrhood over a five month period. • In 69.2� of the cases, 18 out of 26, differences in treatment were identified as a consequence of race, familial status, public assistance status or marital status. • In 50� of the cases, 13 out of 26, differences in treatment were found based on race. • In 11.5 � of the cases, 3 out of 26, difference in � treatment were based on receipt of public assistance. �$ -3� y _ • In 3.8 � of the cases, 1 out of 26, difference in treatment was based or_ fami].ial status. • In 3.8� of the cases, 1 out of 26, dif`erence in treatment was based on maritai status. This study was not designed to measure discrimination based on familial status or public assistance status, therefore, it would be inaccurate to assume that such practices are either more or less prevalent. MFHC does not suggest that its findings support any contention other than that of discri.mi.nation due to apparent racial bias. Ia all of the cases, testers were given incomes that would qualify them for a unit - incomes were always set at three times the cost of the unit. In addition, testers did not have children in their households. In the instances of differences based on familial status or public assistance status, the agents made a statement categorically excluding families with children or agents mandated that tenants must have employment. �'►+;a report has beea prepared xith the support of Ram.sep Actioa Programs, a c�+^�tp action aqencq serriag Ramsep and AasBiagton couaties. For further i.afoxmation about the audi.t or housi.ag °18'- 3� �;acr++T+�=tioa, please coatact the Minaesota Fair Hcusing Ceater, 2700 Universitp Aveaue Aest, Suite 40, Saiat Paul, Minn° 55114. Tel: (6Z21 917-8869