Minn. Stat. § 469 § 469.020
DISCRIMINATION PROHIBITED, DISPLACED FAMILIES.
Operative Text
There shall be no discrimination in the selection of tenants because of race or religious, political, or other affiliations, but, if the number of qualified applicants for dwelling accommodations exceeds the dwelling units available, preference shall be given to inhabitants of the municipality in which the project is located, and to the families who occupied the dwellings eliminated by demolition, condemnation, and effective closing as part of the project, as far as is reasonably practicable without discrimination against families living in other substandard areas within the same municipality.
Minnesota Statute § 469.020 prohibits discrimination in tenant selection based on race, religion, political affiliation, or similar characteristics in housing projects covered by the statute. When demand for units exceeds supply, the law establishes a preference order: residents of the municipality where the project is located come first, followed by families who were displaced by the demolition, condemnation, or closing of dwellings as part of the project itself. This preference system must be applied without discriminating against families from other substandard areas within the same municipality.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Operators of housing projects subject to Minn. Stat. § 469.020 are generally expected to maintain tenant-selection policies that are free from discrimination on the basis of race, religion, political affiliation, or comparable characteristics. When a waitlist situation arises, compliant operators typically document how they apply the statutory preference order — local municipal residents first, then project-displaced families — while ensuring that families from other substandard areas in the same municipality are not unfairly excluded. Maintaining clear, written selection criteria and records helps demonstrate adherence to the non-discrimination and preference requirements of § 469.020.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Under Minn. Stat. § 469.020, applicants for housing in covered projects have a right to a selection process free from discrimination based on race, religion, political affiliation, or similar grounds. Individuals who were displaced by demolition, condemnation, or closing of dwellings as part of a project, as well as current residents of the municipality, may be entitled to preference when units are limited. Those who believe their application was handled in violation of § 469.020 may consider contacting a local tenant-rights organization, a fair housing agency, or the relevant housing authority to understand available complaint and enforcement paths.
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 30, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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