The St. Paul City Council held a public hearing to discuss an ordinance that would change how landlords use criminal histories, past evictions or credit scores when considering new tenants. The proposed ordinance is said to be another step forward for the city’s efforts to build equity while also curbing longtime barriers that make it difficult for people with criminal backgrounds or evictions, low-income households and people of color to find affordable housing. It also limits how credit screenings are used, including preventing landlords from denying an applicant because of insufficient credit history and caps the amount landlords can charge for a security deposit at a month’s rent.
