Saint Paul council advances temporary extension of pre-eviction notice to 60 days; final vote set for March 18

The St. Paul City Council on Wednesday advanced a revised version of Ordinance 26-18 that would temporarily extend the pre-eviction filing notice period from 30 to 60 days, making the change effective beginning May 14 and running through Dec. 31, and set a final adoption vote for March 18.

Councilmember Kim presented Version 2 of the ordinance, saying the changes were clarifying rather than substantive and explicitly set the May 14 start date so tenants and landlords would know when the extension takes effect. "This change makes it clear that the temporary extension of the pre eviction filing notice from a 30 to 60 day starts on May 14 and goes through December 31," Kim said.

Why it matters: Supporters said the longer notice would give tenants more time to secure emergency rental aid, legal help and other resources amid the fallout from recent enforcement operations. Opponents — including several large nonprofit housing providers and supportive-housing operators — warned the extension could increase unpaid rent balances and worsen long-term housing instability.

During public testimony, neighborhood and advocacy representatives urged the council to act. "We opened a rent relief fund yesterday for the public and we had over 250 folks within eight hours," said Katie Royce of the Frogtown Neighborhood Association. "Our rents are too high. We all know that. We've got a housing problem."

Legal aid and tenant-support organizations told the council they are seeing a surge in calls. "HomeLine operates a free confidential legal advice hotline serving renters across Minnesota. Last year alone, we advised nearly 2,900 Saint Paul households," said Reagan Reek of HomeLine. Reek added that HomeLine has recorded a 71% increase in renters seeking help compared with the same time last year.

Representatives of several affordable-housing providers urged caution. "We are here to oppose this extension," said Laura Russ of Aon, describing rental providers’ concern that extending notice periods can add time and uncertainty and increase resident indebtedness. "The challenge with extending the pre eviction notice period is that it adds additional time and uncertainty, which unfortunately oftentimes only leads to residents being further in debt."

Other speakers from neighborhood coalitions, supportive-housing providers and residents described a range of experiences and consequences tied to recent enforcement activity; some said 60 days would be insufficient and urged more systemic relief.

Council action and next steps: The council approved Version 2 of the ordinance (the clarifying amendment) by voice vote and then held a public hearing. The hearing drew more than a dozen speakers representing tenants, neighborhood groups, housing providers and landlords. The public hearing was closed and the council laid the ordinance over for a third reading and final adoption vote on March 18.

The record: The council recorded the version-approval vote and the closure of the public hearing; no final adoption occurred at Wednesday’s meeting. If adopted as written, the temporary 60-day pre-eviction filing notice would take effect May 14 and expire Dec. 31 under the text introduced on Wednesday.