Both Mayor Jacob Frey and State Senator Omar Fateh say they disagree on housing, yet their housing platforms are the same. Both oppose preserving and expanding Section 9 public housing.
Frey lobbied HUD to approve the privatization and demolition of Section 9 housing through Section 18 and RAD programs, a historic public land grab for developers. These programs allow the transfer of properties from Section 9 to Section 8, enabling private developers to take over and profit from “deeply affordable housing” funds from city, state and federal levels as well as Low-Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC).
For example, Royal Bank of Canada received a 99-year ownership deal through public financing and a LIHTC for the Elliot Twins [highrises in South Minneapolis]. As a result, Elliot Twins residents no longer pay 30% of their income for rent; instead, rent is based on Area Median Income (AMI), a market-rate model which changed the population of the buildings because it is unaffordable for Section 9 public housing residents.
Fateh lobbied at the state level to support legislation to fund Section 18, a privatization scheme converting the entire stock of over 800 single family Section 9 public housing homes. This funded Minneapolis Public Housing Authority (MPHA)’s effort to create four LLCs/nonprofits to facilitate private developer takeovers, similar to the Royal Bank of
Fateh has never proposed a bill to stop the demolition of Section 9 or build additional Section 9 public housing units and has refused to take action upon resident requests leading to the homelessness crisis.
“Both Frey and Fateh have opposed Glendale’s historic designation and have targeted resident leaders.”
Fateh has also refused to support Historic Designation for the Glendale. His top aide, Chris Meyer, has circulated racist posts regarding Glendale in support of Wedge Live. These posts accused public housing residents of perpetuating Prospect Park’s 1909 Race War and of redlining and racial housing discrimination for wanting their history preserved.
How can Black/Brown low-income tenants have the power to redline? When Glendale residents and youth asked for vocal support with the historic designation vote, Fateh refused, stating: “I don’t think you have the votes.”
Frey has blocked the Glendale Historic Designation vote since 2016 and led the charge to end Section 9 public housing so developers and nonprofit housing corporations can make 100’s of millions on his deeply affordable housing platform.
Since 2019, Frey has sent political allies (including Abdi Warsame and others) to attack and spread misinformation about Defend Glendale & Public Housing Coalition (DG&PHC), especially targeting Black women tenant leaders. He continues to use social media and proxies to undermine DG&PHC’s credibility.
Fateh’s top aide, Chris Meyer, supports Wedge Live and similar accounts that have attacked DG&PHConline. Wedge Live is an avid supporter of Fateh and has demeaned and undermined DG&PHC while refusing to engage directly with Glendale resident organizers.
Fateh surveilled DG&PHC organizing at Elliot Twins during his campaign for his State Senate seat, while ignoring tenant organizers and their requests. He watched residents protest and be harassed by MPHA staff and police. He never intervened and smirked as he saw it.
Fateh uses social media proxies and YIMBY allies to discredit DG&PHC’s work. Just to clarify, Section 9 public housing tenant advocates are called PHIMBY’s.
In summary, both Frey and Fateh share a pro-privatization housing agenda ending Section 9 public housing and giving 100’s of millions to developers. Both have opposed Glendale’s historic designation. Both have targeted DG&PHC leaders and community members through online and in-person campaigns.
Ladan Yusuf is a member of Defend Glendale. This commentary has been edited for length and clarity. Learn more about Defend Glandale at defendglendale@gmail.com.
This piece raises serious concerns about how both Mayor Frey and Senator Fateh have handled public housing, especially around the RAD and Section 18 conversions. It’s true that these programs often lead to the loss of deeply affordable Section 9 units, but it’s also important to recognize why cities turn to them in the first place — chronic federal disinvestment. Still, that doesn’t excuse the lack of transparency or the sidelining of residents in decisions that reshape their communities. Public housing tenants deserve a real seat at the table, not just policy experiments justified as “pragmatic.” Minneapolis can and should lead by preserving public ownership while finding sustainable ways to fund repairs.