It is thanks to your work that the City Council passed this important policy and that Mayor Frey is proposing more funds for rental assistance. We will not forget that when our communities were under attack, it was our neighbors on the ground that took action to keep us safe.
That said, I want to thank all of the community members and leaders who took the time to come testify, reached out to our offices, organized, and who have been doing the work on the ground to keep our neighbors safe.
My colleagues and I will work to build off of the Mayor’s proposed additional rental assistance, but the reality is that it is unlikely to reach those who need it the most in time. A policy change like Pause Evictions, Save Lives moves much faster than money and bureaucracy.
While our neighbors have been fundraising and using their own savings, retirement and college funds to support each other during this crisis, Pause Evictions Save Lives was the only remaining policy solution to support our neighbors to stay in their homes.
I am extremely disappointed today. But I am proud that my Council colleagues and I chose to stand with the residents who have been working tirelessly to keep our neighbors safe. And I am grateful to the 16 Minneapolis state legislators who publicly supported this effort as well.
The choice being made by the mayor is to stand with a handful of landlords over Minneapolis residents who have been targeted by ICE and the Trump administration. This will be a costly decision for families across our city.
Letter that reads: Joint statement by Council Member Wonsley, Council Vice President Osman, Council Member Stevenson, Council Member Chavez, Council Member Chughtai and Council Member Chowdhury, authors of the ordinance Pause Evictions, Save Lives. Mayor Frey Vetoes Ordinance, Endangering Thousands of Minneapolis Renters Impacted by Operation Metro Surge MINNEAPOLIS– Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey has vetoed the Pause Evictions, Save Lives Ordinance that would have temporarily slowed evictions to protect families impacted by Operation Metro Surge. The Mayor’s veto, if sustained, will contribute to mass evictions of residents in our city who were impacted by Operation Metro Surge. The Mayor’s veto is particularly distressing given the recent report by the City of Minneapolis indicating that the occupation left renters behind on rent by about $15.7 million after just one month. Additionally, over sixteen state legislators who represent Minneapolis requested Mayor Frey sign the ordinance
Today Mayor Frey chose to veto a temporary extension of the eviction timeline from 30 days to 60 days. The data says that this policy would keep neighbors in their homes.
Dear Neighbors,
I will be holding Office Hours this week on Friday, 3/13 11am-1pm at Bichota Coffee, 3740 Chicago Ave. Join us for any questions you might have or to chat with our office. Hope to see you there!
The experts are clear on what we need, and I call on Mayor Frey to listen to them and sign off on Pause Evictions, Save Lives. If you agree, call 612-673-2100 to tell the Mayor.
Finally, the experts who have been raising funds and tirelessly working on the ground to support and protect our neighbors who need it the most have been telling us that this measure is the bare minimum we can do to help support their efforts right now.
We also received data from Homeline, the twin cities tenant support hotline, that shows they have received more calls from tenants in need of financial support since December of 2025 than during any quarter during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns.
My office was able to connect with the Center For Urban & Regional Affairs (CURA) at UMN this week, who told us that their research shows that extending the eviction notice period works to help keep tenants in their homes.
During a time when experts are maligned and the truth is ignored, it’s more important than ever that we listen to what experts are telling us.
I call on my colleagues and Mayor Frey to support this measure. Our neighbors told us loud and clear: they need us. They pleaded with us to take action. Let’s rise to the occasion.
I also heard residents remind us about how costly evictions are, and the long-term impacts they have on our communities. We were already in a housing crisis before Operation Metro Surge, and now our residents are warning us of an escalation that we are not at all prepared for.
We all agree on one truth: we are in a crisis, and our neighbors are struggling. During their testimony, neighbors that are doing the hard work of fundraising, connecting people to resources, patrolling, and more, said that this measure is the BARE MINIMUM we can do right now.
We heard from residents from every part of our city that have been working hard and mobilizing their own resources to help keep our neighbors targeted by ICE in their homes.
I want to thank everyone who came out to today’s hearing on Pause Evictions, Save Lives, an ordinance to temporarily extend the eviction notice period from 30 to 60 days in response to Operation Metro Surge.
Whether you’ve been helping with rental assistance fundraising or have been working with neighbors targeted by ICE who are in need of more time to pay their rent, please come and share your stories with the City Council and show why we need Pause Evictions, Save Lives NOW
Join me in calling on the City Council and Mayor to support this effort by testifying at a public hearing of Pause Evictions, Save Lives this Tue 3/3 at 9:30 in the Council Chambers at City Hall (350 S 5th St).
My Council colleagues and I are proposing the ordinance Pause Evictions, Save Lives, which would temporarily change the eviction notice period from 30 days to 60 days. It will be a crucial small step that will give our neighbors a little more breathing room during this crisis.
Our allies at the State legislature are pushing hard for rental assistance funds, but even if we get them, funds won’t be disbursed until July. Our neighbors are going to need more time to fundraise and catch up on rent.
Northrop neighbors are holding a mutual aid fundraiser for rent support today, Saturday 2/28 at McRae Park Recreation Center, 906 E 47th St
Support Lyndale School Families:
https://gofund.me/3d4ae2a6b
Donate here to support Aid for Regina Neighbors Affected by ICE Raids:
https://gofund.me/5e4f24a72
Contribute here to March Rent Assistance for Central Neighborhood Families:
https://gofund.me/e6fef58b8
Donate here to support Bancroft neighbors:
https://gofund.me/cad03beb0
Tomorrow rent is due again! Ward 8 community leaders are working hard to help neighbors with rental assistance so that they can stay in their homes. Please support these efforts, they are crucial to keeping our neighbors safe. Here are some that our office is aware of:
I support and join my Council colleagues in urging for the termination of this contract, and hope that Mayor Frey will take action and respond by March 1st to this resounding request from our shared constituents.
Yesterday I met with a group of constituents that shared their concerns with the City’s investment in this contract, especially right now.
