Justice Paul Thissen, writing for the majority, noted that the ordinance contains exceptions for landlords who would face an “undue hardship” if they were required to participate in the programs. (Marci Schmitt — Star Tribune file/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

The Minnesota Supreme Court on Wednesday upheld a Minneapolis ordinance that prohibits landlords from refusing to rent residential properties to someone solely because they receive public assistance.

A group of landlords had sued, saying that the ordinance, first passed in 2017, violated their due process rights and the equal protection clause of the state constitution. The court ruled Wednesday that it did not.

City officials who passed the ordinance said they hoped it would reduce discrimination by preventing landlords from ruling out any tenants with Section 8 vouchers.

Justice Paul Thissen, writing for the majority, noted that the ordinance contains exceptions for landlords who would face an "undue hardship" if they were required to participate in the programs.

"The City's decision to prohibit landlords from refusing to rent to housing choice voucher holders because the landlords do not want to comply with the program requirements is a rational way to reduce refusals to rent based on prejudice against voucher holders," Thissen wrote.

LIZ NAVRATIL

95th Associate Justice of the Minnesota Supreme Court Paul C. Thissen donned the robe that was missing right after he took the oath.] Gov. Mark Dayton will provide remarksat the Minnesota Supreme Court Public Investiture Ceremony forRichard Tsong-Taatarii•rtsong-taatarii@startribune.com .] Gov. Mark Dayton will provide remarksat the Minnesota Supreme Court Public Investiture Ceremony forRichard Tsong-Taatarii•rtsong-taatarii@startribune.com (The Minnesota Star Tribune)

about the writer

Liz Navratil

Reporter

Liz Navratil covers communities in the western Twin Cities metro area. She previously covered Minneapolis City Hall as leaders responded to the coronavirus pandemic and George Floyd’s murder.