Grand Rapids, Minn., Mun. Code art. 26-II (2026) § 26-31
Declaration Of Policy
Operative Text
The public policy of the city is declared to be to foster equal opportunity for all to obtain decent, safe and sanitary housing without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, disability, or familial status. Persons subject to such discrimination in housing suffer depressed living conditions which may create conditions which endanger the public safety, peace and order. (Code 1978, § 63.01)
Grand Rapids Article 26-II, § 26-31 establishes the city's foundational commitment to equal housing opportunity for all residents. The provision declares that no person should face barriers to obtaining decent, safe, and sanitary housing based on characteristics such as race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, marital status, public assistance status, disability, or familial status. It further recognizes that housing discrimination harms not only individuals but the broader community by contributing to conditions that threaten public safety and order.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Grand Rapids § 26-31 sets the policy framework under which the city's housing discrimination rules operate, signaling that equal access to housing is a core municipal value. Operators who understand this declaration recognize that the protected characteristics listed — including disability, familial status, and public assistance status — inform the standards applied throughout Article 26-II. Compliant property owners and managers generally review their rental practices, advertising, and tenant-selection criteria with this overarching policy in mind.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Grand Rapids § 26-31 articulates a public policy that supports your right to seek housing free from discrimination based on a broad set of protected characteristics, including race, disability, marital status, and familial status. If you believe you have experienced housing discrimination, this declaration underpins the more specific protections found throughout Article 26-II of the Grand Rapids Code. General enforcement paths may include filing a complaint with a local or state fair housing agency, contacting a tenant-rights organization, or consulting with a legal aid provider familiar with Grand Rapids housing law.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated November 13, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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