Minnesota Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing Choice

In addition to analysis of publicly available demographic and socioeconomic data; HUD-provided data; and review of state, regional, and local studies; the Minnesota Analysis of Impediments (AI) study provided opportunities for residents and stakeholders to share their experience with housing choice and access to opportunity. Resident engagement efforts focused on the experiences of members of protected classes, particularly immigrants and refugees, living in greater Minnesota’s rural regions and yielded community conversations with Anuak, Eritrean, Hispanic, Karen, Oromo, Vietnamese, and Somali residents; residents with disabilities; and focus groups with members of the Red Lake, Leech Lake, and White Earth bands of Chippewa Indians.

Stakeholders participated in a survey and in-depth interviews, including organizations providing services to, or advocacy on behalf of: African immigrants and refugees, Asian Pacific residents, residents with disabilities, Karen refugees and immigrants, low income residents, Minnesota’s tribal nations, and interviews with organizations serving residents of racially or ethnically concentrated areas of poverty in the Twin Cities.