Student Housing Debate Reveals St. Paul City Council Candidates' Views on Housing Affordability and Development

Strategic Insights -

St. Paul's biggest challenge is housing affordability, with issues including homelessness, rent control, and the city's stance on developer permissiveness. A special election in Ward 4 reveals the candidates' stances on these issues, particularly student-oriented housing and its impact on neighborhoods. Candidate Molly Coleman opposes a moratorium on multi-unit development near the University of St. Thomas, arguing it would send a mixed signal and hinder new construction.

Key Takeaways:

  • Candidate Molly Coleman opposes a moratorium on multi-unit development near the University of St. Thomas, citing a shrinking property tax base and the need for new construction.
  • Coleman also emphasizes the importance of addressing neighbors' concerns around parking and not favoring unchecked development.
  • Candidate Carolyn Will supports a moratorium, citing concerns about affordable homes being torn down and the potential flaws in St. Paul's rewritten zoning rules.
  • Candidate Cole Hanson favors an "extremely temporary" moratorium to solicit student feedback and criticizes St. Paul's zoning rules for not promising affordable units in exchange for density bonuses.
  • Candidate Chauntyll Allen did not respond to a request for comment but expressed concerns about "cracker-jack box" development and wants to preserve the city.

Statistics:

  • Since St. Paul relaxed zoning rules in 2023, student-oriented housing has been popping up on single-family lots near the University of St. Thomas.
  • The city has a shrinking revenue and property tax base.
  • Affordable homes valued at $450,000 and under are being torn down.
  • St. Paul's new zoning rules allow developers to build bigger under certain conditions, but without promising affordable units.

Sources:

  • Axios: "St. Paul's Ward 4 City Council Candidates Weigh In On Student Housing Moratorium" (2025/07/31 12:00 PM EST)
  • Axios: "St. Paul Want More Missing Middle Housing, Will It Make the City a More Affordable Place to Live?" (2023/04/xx)
  • MinnPost: "St. Paul Wants More Missing Middle Housing, Will It Make the City a More Affordable Place to Live?" (2023/04/xx)
  • Yahoo News: "St. Paul City Council Deadlocks on Affordable Housing" (xx/xx/xxxx)
  • Google Drive: "Possible Banner Neighborhood Group Proposal" (1vh9IKsOMgsSN3ZCtnFJ2WeDTts4Wu9er)
  • YouTube: "League of Women Voters Forum" (xx/xx/xxxx)