1.1 	A resolution
1.2 	memorializing Congress to protect the lives of individuals who live in public housing.
1.3 	WHEREAS, on November 27, 2019, a fire broke out on the 14th floor of the Minneapolis 
1.4 	Public Housing Authority (MPHA) Cedar High apartments that killed five residents and injured 
1.5 	four others. This fire highlights the life-or-death consequences of underfunding public housing; 
1.6 	and
1.7 	WHEREAS, Minnesota public housing authorities have an estimated $354.9 million in 
1.8 	deferred critical maintenance and repairs, while nationally funding for public housing capital needs 
1.9 	declined 31 percent from 2001 to 2017; and
1.10 	WHEREAS, the Minneapolis Public Housing Authority alone has an estimated $152 million 
1.11 	in deferred maintenance and renovations, including $69 million for plumbing and fire systems; and
1.12 	WHEREAS, the federal government has an obligation to ensure its buildings are safe for the 
1.13 	public by providing appropriate resources to protect the lives and safety of each of its building's 
1.14 	tenants; and
1.15 	WHEREAS, the critical lack of federal funding is putting public housing tenants at unnecessary 
1.16 	risk across Minnesota and the country; NOW, THEREFORE,
1.17 	BE IT RESOLVED by the Legislature of the State of Minnesota that it urges the President 
1.18 	and the Congress of the United States to immediately recognize and pay for its obligation to protect 
1.19 	the lives and safety of the individuals residing in public housing and pay for its deferred public 
1.20 	housing obligations to limit future tragedies.
1.21 	BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of State of the State of Minnesota is directed 
1.22 	to prepare copies of this memorial and transmit them to the President of the United States and 
1.23 	Minnesota's Senators and Representatives in Congress.