Today we are organizing a phone zap for Representative Ilhan Omar! We are asking that all of our followers and allies call her office and ask her to write a public letter to HUD to stop section 18! All the directions are in the photo below. Once you have called Rep. Omar’s Contacts, please post using the #StopSection18 tag. This application has gone on too long and too far. Let’s stop it together.  Please contact 10 of your friends, family, or coworkers to make the call and ask them to contact 10 people they know to make the call.  

What is section 18?:

Section 18 is a privatization program offered by HUD to public housing authorities. Minneapolis Public Housing Authority is using it to privatize 717 single-family homes, by removing the housing from the public trust and transferring it to a private entity. Once this occurs, the subsidy will change from public housing to section 8. Subjecting our public housing to the whims of the market could lead to devastating results for residents. It will risk long term affordability and rents may increase to 80% of AMI for new residents. 

What does this mean for Minneapolis?:

Minneapolis is currently in the midst of a major housing crisis, the city needs MORE public housing, not less. These homes will be sold for a dollar each to a non-profit, which will allow private market speculators to gain equity ownership in our public housing. This move will result in the gutting of resident protections and could result in tenant re-screening and potential rent increases for residents. These homes are spread out in different neighborhoods across the city, with a majority in North Minneapolis. Once these homes are privatized, the gentrification already taking place in Minneapolis could intensify, and the city will be forever changed.

How to Stop It:

We are asking for everyone to call Congresswoman Ilhan Omar’s office today Tuesday, February 11th and ask she writes a public letter to HUD stoping Section 18. Below is a sample script, and the number of her staffers. Once you have called, post on social media using the #StopSection18 tag.
#StopSection18 Sample Script:Hello, My name is [Blank] and I live in your congressional district. I am calling to ask that Ilhan Omar writes a public letter to HUD to stop the Section 18 Disposition of 717 single-family homes by Minneapolis Public Housing Authority. This conversion will privatize necessary public housing in our city, which could result in rent increases and the displacement of the most vulnerable families in our city. Rep. Omar needs to stop section 18 now. If she supports public housing, she needs to support it in her city. Stop Section 18 now!

Numbers to Call:

Ilhan Omar’s DC Office: (202)-225-4755

Ilhan Omar’s Minneapolis Office: (612)-333-1272

Connor Mcnutt, Chief of Staff: (507)-412-9461

Kendall Killian, District Director MPLS:  (651)-270-3832

Once you’re done, post to social media using the#StopSection18 tag.Thank you for supporting public housing!