Equity

Our role in advancing equity

As the regional policy-making body, planning agency, and provider of essential services for the seven-county Twin Cities metropolitan area, the Met Council has a role in advancing equity.

Equity: a Thrive MSP 2040 outcome

We adopted equity as one of the outcomes of Thrive MSP 2040, defining equity and the Council’s role as follows:Equity vs Equality poster; link to the Council's Equity in Action information.

“Equity connects all residents to opportunity and creates viable housing, transportation, and recreation options for people of all races, ethnicities, incomes, and abilities so that all communities share the opportunities and challenges of growth and change. For our region to reach its full economic potential, all of our residents must be able to access opportunity. Our region is stronger when all people live in communities that provide them access to opportunities for success, prosperity, and quality of life."

Promoting equity means:

  • Using our influence and investments to build a more equitable region.

  • Creating real choices in where we live, how we travel, and where we recreate for all residents, across race, ethnicity, economic means, and ability.

  • Investing in a mix of housing affordability along the region’s transit corridors.

  • Engaging a full cross-section of the community in decision-making.

Why equity?

The Twin Cities metropolitan area ranks high among the nation’s largest metro areas for overall income, low unemployment, and sustained economic growth, but this region also ranks high for negative outcomes. Our Metro Stats reports illustrate that among the 25 most populous metro areas, the Twin Cities metro has the largest — or among the largest — disparities along racial and ethnic lines among our peer metro areas.

Promoting equity enhances opportunities for everyone

This region has a choice. Improving access to opportunity can make people’s lives better. Closing these disparities will make the Twin Cities region stronger and more prosperous. In 2040, if people of color enjoyed the same socioeconomic status as whites, it would result in 274,000 fewer residents in poverty and an additional $431.8 billion in personal income.

Equity in action: what we’re doing

To advance racial and economic equity across the metropolitan area, our priority is expanding real choices for housing and transportation.