Minnesota Statute 363A.09, amended in 2023, bans landlord refusal to rent based on lawful source of income including Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers, SSI, child support, and veteran benefits. Hennepin County and all member cities follow this statewide protection.
Effective August 2023, Minnesota added source of income to protected classes under the Minnesota Human Rights Act. Landlords in Hennepin County may not refuse Section 8 vouchers, GA, SSI, MFIP, child support, alimony, veterans benefits, or other lawful income sources. Minneapolis and Bloomington enforced similar local rules earlier; the state law now blankets all 45 cities. Landlords may still apply non-discriminatory income-to-rent ratios (e.g., income equals at least 2.5x rent), counting voucher amount as income. Complaints go to the Minnesota Department of Human Rights.
Discrimination findings trigger MDHR damages awards, civil penalties up to $25,000 per violation, mandatory training, and potential city rental license discipline.
See how Bloomington's source-of-income discrimination rules stack up against other locations.
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