In Minnesota, la Vida Digna Coalition, comprised of organizations LatinoLEAD, HACER, and COPAL, and with the support of Equity in Place, are advocating for greater acceptance of Individual Taxpayer Identification Numbers (ITINs). ITINs, issued by the IRS to taxpayers without a Social Security Number, are crucial for many immigrant families. Despite their importance, ITINs face limited recognition from private institutions such as property management companies, banks, and utility providers.
This campaign took a significant step forward recently as the Senate Housing and Homelessness Prevention Committee passed a pivotal bill (HF3843/SF3769) on Tuesday afternoon. The proposed legislation mandates that landlords accept ITINs in lieu of Social Security Numbers on rental applications, easing access to housing for over 20,000 Minnesotans.
Ryan Pérez, the organizing director for COPAL, expressed a vision of an inclusive Minnesota where ITIN holders, alongside all residents, can fully engage in the state’s economy as equals.