Presentation to City of Minneapolis Housing Policy & Development - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Presentation to City of Minneapolis Housing Policy & Development Committee 5/8/19

What is HOME Line?

• HOME Line is a statewide nonprofit organization providing free legal,

educational, and advocacy services to Minnesota renters. We have served renters in Hennepin County since 1992.

• Our primary program is a free and confidential legal hotline any

renter can call or email to receive legal advice specific to their situation.

• HOME Line has staff of 17 employees, including attorneys, tenant

advocates, and tenant organizers. We also rely on law student and community volunteers and interns.

How can you reach HOME Line?

• Renters in Minneapolis call for free advice: 612-728-5767
• Email an attorney for free from our website: homelinemn.org/email
• Most households will either connect with an advocate right when

they call or they will get a call back within the day.

• We prefer to advise the tenant directly, but we often work alongside

social workers, advocates, family members.

Service to Minneapolis residents in 2018

• 3,244 Minneapolis renter households contacted HOME Line’s Tenant

Hotline for legal advice in 2018. This was approximately a 10% increase from 2017. The cost to serve the city was $169,113.

• During 2018, HOME Line helped renters from Minneapolis:
• Recover and/or save an estimated $378,000 in damage deposits and rent

abatements.

• Prevent an estimated 224 evictions.
• We spend an average of ½ hour with each client.

Client Demographics

Data is from clients served in 2018

• More than two-thirds of our clients

identify as Female.

• Close to half of our clients identify as

non-white.

• The vast majority (85%) of

Minneapolis renters advised by HOME Line are at or below low-income levels as defined by HUD.

Income Level

Extremely Low 47% Very Low 20% Low 18% Moderate 15%

Where are we hearing from renters?

59 68 52

260 169 421 246 255 249 178 277 65 407 162 100 115 #1 #2 #3 #4 #7 #9 #5 #6 #8 #10 #12 #11 #13

# of Renter Households advised by Ward Rank of calls by Ward

Data is from clients served in 2018

What are the most common issues?

Reason for call # of calls (2018)

• 1. Repairs

679

• 2. Security Deposit

365

• 3. Eviction

314

• 4. Notice to Vacate

293

• 5. Break Lease

271

• 6. Lease questions

189

• 7. Privacy/Intrusion

173

• 8. Rental license

126

• 9. Infestation

102

• 10. Roommate

101

New this year:

• We advise renters in 4 languages: English, Spanish, Somali, and

Hmong.

• Anyone can call our main hotline # (612-728-5767) and be directed to a

specific language line, or dial directly:

• Somali: 612-255-8860
• Spanish: 612-255-8870
• Hmong: 612-255-7104
• Increased eviction prevention efforts.

Thank You

Eric Hauge Executive Director, HOME Line 612-255-8863 erich@homelinemn.org

Tenant Hotline: 612-728-5767 …or online: homelinemn.org/email