🏘️ Rent control’s impact on St. Paul housing

About St. Paul’s Housing Shortage…

How well have St. Paul’s latest housing policies succeeded in creating more homes? It’s a mixed bag, according to an MPR News analysis of data from the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis. Zoning changes that allow denser housing like duplexes and triplexes have increased development, especially near universities. On the other hand, the 2021 rent stabilization policy has discouraged some developers and investors from constructing new large apartment buildings. Other takeaways include a curious trend in the average rent price falling and landlords paying 27% less in property taxes since 2022, while homeowners’ taxes keep rising. [MPR News]

• Pain point: The data also affirms what’s been known for years: Rent control has correlated with less development. City leaders have cooled on rent control since it was passed in 2021. Last year, council members amended the ordinance to exempt homes built after 2004. Housing Equity Now St. Paul, a coalition of housing advocates and neighborhood groups, campaigned for the ordinance in response to the rising cost of housing. [Minnesota Reformer / MinnPost]
• Interesting: Do you like data dashboards? The Federal Reserve has made its data on the state of housing in St. Paul pretty accessible. You can check out how long tenants stay in their homes, median apartment prices, and more. [Minneapolis Federal Reserve]

Sketchy situation: More details about the Chief Brian O’Hara scandal have emerged, thanks to a whistleblower report. The whistleblower alleges O’Hara’s driver, Abdisamad Ahmed, bragged that he had the chief “by the balls” since he possessed incriminating text messages. Plus, Ahmed allegedly “saved” O’Hara after he (also allegedly) crashed a city-owned car while drunk. City officials have been quick to point out that these whistleblower claims haven’t been proven. [Star Tribune]

“Predatory scheme”: Chadwick Banken, a real estate broker who allegedly targeted Muslim homebuyers, went to trial on Monday. In a lawsuit, Attorney General Keith Ellison accused Banken of pushing buyers to default so he could regain the property. Banken used contracts for deed, which Ellison’s office described as a “poor man’s mortgage that combines all the responsibilities of homeownership with all the disadvantages of renting, while offering the benefits of neither.” Banken has disputed the allegations. [Sahan Journal]

More detention centers?: The federal government is interested in turning a former private prison in Appleton into an immigration detention center. A proposed contract states that ICE is looking for more beds to fulfill its enforcement goals. The Appleton facility has a 1,600-person capacity. [MPR News]

Your next bite: Our host Sean McPherson tells me the best thing on St. Paul Yumi’s menu is the rock shrimp tempura. “The reason this dish works is that the tempura batter is light and airy, making the dish appetizing as opposed to overwhelming. It’s a perfect treat before getting a couple of their spectacular rolls.” OK, I’m convinced.

AI-powered parenting: Can a smartwatch predict when your kid is about to throw a fit? The Strib’s Jeremy Olson reports Mayo Clinic found that smartwatches could cut tantrum times in half. Apparently, the smartwatch uses a child’s biometric data to identify signs of a child feeling agitated and alerts the parent. Parents, would you put an AI-powered smartwatch on your kid’s wrist? Reply to this email and let us know. [Star Tribune]

Tuesday, June 9

• 🆓 Book Launch: Krys Malcolm Belc – What I Made for Dinner | Next Chapter Booksellers
• 🆓 2026 Funniest Headliner Contest: Prelims Week 2 | Gambit Brewing Co
• 🆓 Shaping the Here with Jeff Chang and Aaron Johnson-Ortiz | The Capri Theater
• 🆓 Abinnet Berhanu's Ahndenet and Fanaka Nation | The Cedar Cultural Center
• 😂 Therapy Gecko Live | The Parkway Theater
• 🥁 Gustavo Cortinas "The Drum Also Sings" | Icehouse
• 🆓 HEYARLO | Berlin

Wednesday, June 10

• 🆓 That Prince Spark | The Capri Theater
• 🍽️ Recipe for Restaurant Relief Fundraiser | The Market at Malcolm Yards
• 🎬 Killer of Sheep by Charles Burnett | Walker Cinema
• 🎛️ Guest Selector Series ft. James Taylor | Small Hours
• 🎞️ Smitten Kitten Presents WTO/99 | The Main Cinema
• 🆓 Crafty Queers Club Crafting Competition Pt. 2 | LUSH Lounge & Theater
• 🤓 Nerd Nite Out | Black Hart of Saint Paul
• 🎭 Spamalot | Ordway

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• Partnerships Program Coordinator at The Loft Literary Center | $28.96 per hour
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