Today, it is generally acknowledged that Minneapolis is in the throes of perhaps the worst housing crisis in its history. But this description of the problems facing Minneapolitans — particularly people of color, women, renters and the homeless — ignores many critical details. Today’s crisis is just the latest turn in a housing system that has failed for decades to provide adequate housing. e reality of life in Minneapolis for thousands of renters has been ignored to an astounding degree, for an embarrassing length of time. This reality has enjoyed only occasional bouts of media attention and each time has galvanized policy makers to enact the same solutions. Today, it is generally acknowledged that Minneapolis is in the throes of perhaps the worst housing crisis in its history. But this description of the problems facing Minneapolitans — particularly people of color, women, renters and the homeless — ignores many critical details. Today’s crisis is just the latest turn in a housing system that has failed for decades to provide adequate housing. The reality of life in Minneapolis for thousands of renters has been ignored to an astounding degree, for an embarrassing length of time. This reality has enjoyed only occasional bouts of media attention  and each time has galvanized policy makers to enact the same solutions. Minneapolis’ affordable housing crisis was a theme of Barbara Ehrenreich’s 2001 book, Nickel and Dimed. Former Minneapolis mayor R.T. Rybak responded to Ehrenreich indirectly during his first bid for mayor when he declared affordable housing to be the top issue facing the city and his number-one priority More....  

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