Originally published in the Park Bugle, May 2025.
On April 8th, the St. Anthony Park Community Council hosted a vibrant Spring Renters Forum at the Moda Community Room on Raymond Avenue. Dozens of renters from across the neighborhood gathered for an evening of connection, community, and practical housing resources.
With 51.3% of St. Anthony Park households being renter-occupied, this forum was all about meeting people where they are and ensuring everyone had access to important tools and knowledge. Translators were available on-site in Spanish and Somali, two of the most commonly spoken non-English languages in the area, to ensure the event was welcoming and accessible to all.
Lucid Thomas, SAPCC’s Tenant Outreach Coordinator, co-hosted the forum alongside friends from HomeLine MN (homelinemn.org), a nonprofit tenant advocacy group. They guided attendees through recent changes to the Minnesota Renter’s Rebate program, which, thanks to a 2024 legislative update, now allows renters to claim their rebates as early as February – a change that could put up to $1,200 back in the pockets of eligible households sooner, according to the Minnesota Department of Revenue.
“Renters are the heartbeat of this neighborhood,” said Thomas. “These forums are about more than just information – they’re about building community, supporting one another, and making sure everyone knows they belong here.”
Food from Afro Deli helped fuel the conversations, with favorites like sambusas and chicken fantastic keeping the energy high. Neighbors stayed well past the presentation to connect, ask questions, and share stories.
This was the second renters forum hosted by SAPCC this spring – the first took place in March at the Seal Hi-Rise. Both events are part of SAPCC’s ongoing efforts to center renters in community decision-making and create more inclusive spaces for dialogue and support.
To learn more about SAPCC’s renter outreach or to get involved in future events, join the Equity Committee, reach out via email at info@sapcc.org or visit sapcc.org/springrf.