Section 8 Housing Requirements in Minneapolis

[Gordon Olson]

Before I choose any duplex properties in Minneapolis it looks like the recent reversal requiring (I'm putting it delicately) landlords to house Section 8 tenants was reversed.
I'm not keen on the idea of being forced to accept tenants just because they receive Section 8 vouchers.
Any current landlords in Minneapolis out there that are dealing with this? Doesn't this also necessarily force landlords to automatically have to renew their leases as well? And is this only for the City of Minneapolis proper or for the surrounding suburbs as well? I think it's only for the city proper.
If I'm going to be forced to house tenants and not be able to ever evict them or factor in cost of living increases due to improvements I'm just going to avoid the City of Minneapolis altogether.
Thoughts? Thanks.

[Bruce Runn]

@Todd Dexheimer

I think Todd is hitting on the head.  

The real difference will be the estimated 7,500 new section 8 voucher's that are on tap to be distributed as they opened the wait lists and are considering added that many families with vouchers. This will suddenly add a lot more people who are able to pay much more in rent to a very crowded rental market with already low vacancies.  That will raise rents due to demand.

A lesser impact will be the reversal of the current section 8 ruling as it doesn't say you have to rent to section 8, but you have to consider them and can't use their source of income as a disqualifier.  If you have different criteria and stick to them, you can still have those criteria.  That being said, the newest "tenant's rights" ordinances being considered would make disqualifying a section 8 candidate much more difficult but again, you have to have established criteria you stick to and can validate.  

Ultimately, getting good tenants is everyone's goal so the best of section 8 candidates should find more options.