Minnesota Court Allows Public Housing Civil Rights Case to Proceed Against Minneapolis

The Minnesota Court of Appeals has cleared the way for a significant civil rights lawsuit against the City of Minneapolis and the Minneapolis Public Housing Authority to proceed, rejecting immunity claims that could have broader implications for public housing standards nationwide. The August 18, 2025 decision reverses lower court rulings and allows residents to pursue claims that the city systematically failed to inspect public housing units while conducting regular inspections of private rental properties.

This ruling is crucial because it addresses long-standing allegations of discriminatory treatment against low-income residents. The court found that the city's director of regulatory services violated ministerial duties by refusing to enforce inspection requirements for public housing, stating "The duty to adopt a policy that includes the systematic inspections of all rental dwellings is a ministerial one that the director of regulatory services has violated." This establishes that municipal officials cannot claim immunity when failing to perform mandatory duties under city code.

The case, led by public housing residents Kimberly Lowry and Jeanne Harris, alleges violations of the Minnesota Human Rights Act and other housing laws. Residents claim they have been denied basic protections that private renters have received for decades, including routine safety inspections and licensing requirements that ensure habitable living conditions. The court's rejection of immunity arguments means these substantive claims can now be heard on their merits rather than being dismissed on procedural grounds.

Anna P. Prakash, lead attorney for the residents from Nichols Kaster, PLLP, emphasized the decision's importance: "This opinion removes longstanding excuses for the City's and MPHA's alleged failures with respect to licensing and inspections. Private housing residents have received these services for decades. Public housing residents should not be denied these same services just because they make less money than those in private rentals."

The implications extend beyond Minneapolis, as this case could establish precedent for how cities nationwide handle public housing inspections and tenant protections. If successful, the lawsuit could force municipalities to equalize inspection standards between public and private housing, potentially improving living conditions for millions of public housing residents across the country. The decision also reinforces that government agencies cannot use immunity doctrines to avoid accountability for systemic failures in providing basic housing services.