County takes bold steps to eliminate restrictive covenants

In a recent government meeting, officials provided an update on efforts to address and discharge restrictive covenants in Ramsey County, particularly those with racial implications. The discussion highlighted the historical context of these covenants, which began to appear around 1910 and were deemed illegal by the Minnesota legislature in 1953. Despite their illegality, approximately 55,100 properties were recorded with such covenants, which restricted ownership based on race and other protected classes.

Tracy West, the county auditor, emphasized the importance of using precise language in addressing these covenants. The term \"discharge\" was chosen over \"disavow\" to reflect the acknowledgment of the harms caused by these legal restrictions rather than a denial of responsibility. This distinction is crucial as the county moves forward with its initiatives.

Wayne Anderson, the examiner of titles, provided a brief history of the restrictive covenants, noting that while they have been unenforceable since the mid-20th century, their presence in property records remains. He explained that since 2008, Ramsey County has offered to remove racial covenants from property titles at no cost, a policy aimed at alleviating the burdens these covenants impose on property owners.

The meeting also addressed the challenges faced by property owners in discharging these covenants, particularly the requirement for notarized documents. To mitigate this barrier, the county has offered free notarization services to facilitate the process.

Additionally, the county continues to collaborate with organizations like Mapping Prejudice, which works to document and address the historical impact of these covenants across multiple counties. The meeting concluded with discussions on ongoing legal matters related to the county's efforts, underscoring the commitment to rectify past injustices linked to discriminatory housing practices.