Minneapolis, Minn., Code of Ordinances § 7 § 143.10
Findings and purpose (Minneapolis Civil Rights Ordinance)
Operative Text
(a) Findings . The city council finds that: (1) Evictions can produce lasting harm to tenants, including loss of income, homelessness, restrictions on future housing choice, educational success, mental health, and more. (2) Low-income tenants lack legal representation in many eviction proceedings, while rental property owners are usually represented by an attorney or other professional representative. (3) Tenants who are represented by attorneys are less likely to be evicted, and are more likely to maintain housing stability. (4) Tenants who are represented by attorneys are less likely to use homeless shelters and other emergency resources. (5) With an eviction on record, it becomes harder to secure safe, stable housing. (6) Evictions disproportionately affect the city's lowest income residents in the most racially diverse communities. (b) Purpose. The city enacts this chapter to create a right to counsel for low-income tenants, commonly understood to be tenants whose income is less than two hundred (200) percent of the federal poverty line, and to establish a goal of ensuring that all low-income tenants facing eviction have an attorney provided to them.
Minneapolis Code of Ordinances § 7 § 143.10 establishes the city council's formal findings about the harms caused by eviction and the imbalance in legal representation between tenants and landlords in eviction proceedings. Based on those findings, the provision declares a purpose of creating a right to counsel for low-income tenants — generally those earning below 200% of the federal poverty line — who are facing eviction. The chapter sets a policy goal of ensuring that qualifying tenants have an attorney provided to them in eviction cases.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Minneapolis Code of Ordinances § 7 § 143.10, the city has formally recognized that tenants facing eviction may be entitled to legal representation at no cost to them if their income falls below 200% of the federal poverty line. Operators initiating eviction proceedings in Minneapolis should be aware that opposing tenants may appear with legal counsel under this right-to-counsel framework. Understanding this policy context helps rental property managers anticipate a more legally balanced proceeding than has historically been the case.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Minneapolis Code of Ordinances § 7 § 143.10 establishes a right to counsel for low-income tenants facing eviction, with the city defining 'low-income' as generally earning less than 200% of the federal poverty line. If you are facing an eviction proceeding in Minneapolis and meet that income threshold, this provision reflects the city's commitment to ensuring you have access to an attorney. Tenants who believe they qualify may explore this right by contacting local tenant-rights organizations or inquiring with the court about available legal aid resources connected to this chapter.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated September 15, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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