Dispute over St. Paul city housing code goes to U.S. Supreme Court
Rental property owners in St. Paul claim the city's housing code will drive up their costs and limit their ability to rent to African-Americans, who make up a disproportionate share of low-income renters. The property owners claim the city is violating the Fair Housing Act by aggressively enforcing the code. City officials say it's the landlords who are trying to evade the fair housing rules by avoiding maintenance and renting out dilapidated housing.