Housing Discrimination Complaint - Saint Paul, MN
Residents of Saint Paul, Minnesota who believe they have experienced housing discrimination can file a complaint with the City of Saint Paul Human Rights and Equal Economic Opportunity (HREEO) office or with the Minnesota Department of Human Rights. This guide explains how to prepare and submit a complaint, what evidence matters, expected enforcement actions, and appeal options. It summarizes intake pathways, typical timelines, and practical steps to preserve your rights so you can act promptly and use the correct official forms and contacts.
Where to File
You can file a complaint with the City of Saint Paul HREEO office for local enforcement and intake, or with the Minnesota Department of Human Rights for state enforcement. For potential federal referral, complaints may also be investigated by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) depending on jurisdictional rules. See the City intake page and the state housing discrimination page for official filing instructions and intake contacts.[1][2]
Penalties & Enforcement
The City and state processes provide investigatory powers and remedies but specific fine amounts or statutory daily penalties are not specified on the cited municipal intake pages; see the cited sources for more detail and for referral to state or federal remedies.[1][2]
- Enforcement agencies - City of Saint Paul HREEO and Minnesota Department of Human Rights.
- Typical non-monetary remedies - cease-and-desist orders, corrective action plans, mediation agreements, referral to civil court or HUD for further action.
- Monetary penalties - specific fines or statutory amounts are not specified on the cited city intake page; consult the linked pages for details and for state law citations.[1]
- Appeals and review - appeal routes vary by enforcing agency; time limits for filing appeals are not specified on the cited intake pages and may be set by statute or regulation.[1]
Escalation: when an initial administrative finding is not complied with, agencies may seek civil penalties, injunctive relief, or refer cases to court. Exact ranges for first, repeat, or continuing offence fines are not specified on the cited city intake page; check the state agency or statute for monetary schedules.[1]
Applications & Forms
The City of Saint Paul provides official complaint intake instructions and forms on its HREEO pages; the Minnesota Department of Human Rights also provides an online complaint intake and instructions. Fees are generally not required for filing a discrimination complaint, but the cited pages should be consulted for any submission requirements and deadlines.[1][2]
- What to include - dates, parties, address, description of actions, witnesses, and copies of correspondence or notices.
- Deadlines - statutory or agency filing deadlines may apply; the city intake page does not list a clear filing deadline, so file promptly and check the state page for statutory time limits.[1]
Evidence & Investigation
Prepare a concise chronology, contemporaneous records (emails, texts, notices), witness names, rental or sale application materials, and photographs. During investigation agencies may interview parties, request documents, and attempt mediation or conciliation prior to formal remedies.
- Documentation - lease, ads, correspondence, payment records.
- Contacts - intake phone or online reporting per the city and state pages; use official agency channels for submission.
- Timeline - note each incident date and follow-up actions.
Action Steps
- Gather evidence and write a clear chronology of events.
- Contact Saint Paul HREEO for intake and to confirm submission method and required documents.[1]
- Submit the completed complaint form to the agency you choose (city or state) and keep proof of submission.
- If mediation fails, follow agency guidance on appeals or civil referral.
FAQ
- How long do I have to file a complaint?
- Time limits vary by agency and statute; the city intake page does not list a specific statutory deadline, so file promptly and check the Minnesota Department of Human Rights page for state filing limits.[1][2]
- Is there a fee to file a housing discrimination complaint?
- The cited city and state intake pages do not specify a filing fee; most public discrimination intakes do not charge a fee but verify on the official pages before filing.[1][2]
- Can I get my landlord fined or jailed?
- Penalties depend on findings and remedies available under city, state, or federal law; specific fine amounts or criminal sanctions are not specified on the cited city intake page and may require referral to state statute or court.[1]
How-To
- Document the incident with dates, names, messages, and relevant documents.
- Contact Saint Paul HREEO to confirm the correct local filing route and obtain the official complaint form.[1]
- Complete the complaint form, attach evidence, and submit by the method instructed (online, mail, or in-person).
- Preserve proof of submission and follow up with the investigator assigned to your case.
- If unsatisfied, ask about appeal options or civil referral as guided by the agency.
Key Takeaways
- File quickly and preserve all evidence and dates.
- Use the City of Saint Paul HREEO intake channel for local complaints and the Minnesota Department of Human Rights for state-level intake.
- Remedies often include orders and corrective actions; monetary fines are agency-specific and may not be listed on intake pages.
Help and Support / Resources
- City of Saint Paul - Human Rights and Equal Economic Opportunity
- Minnesota Department of Human Rights - Housing
- U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development - Fair Housing