U.S. Department
of Justice
City of Anoka, Minnesota
On November 7, 2023, the United States announced its finding that the City of Anoka, Minnesota violated Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Fair Housing Act by denying tenants with mental health disabilities an equal opportunity to receive emergency assistance. The City, through enforcement of its so-called “crime free” housing ordinance and by sharing confidential medical information relating to calls for emergency service with all landlords, deterred individuals and those associated with them from calling for help and risking their current housing or future housing prospects. The department’s letter asks the City to take corrective actions, including changing policies and procedures, putting an ADA coordinator in place, training staff, and reporting to the department.