Providence, RI – Tonight, for the first time in Providence’s history, the City Council voted on a rent stabilization ordinance.
After being voted out of the Special Committee on Health, Opportunity, Prosperity, and Education (HOPE) unanimously, councilors passed the rent stabilization ordinance for the first time. The ordinance, which would cap annual rent increases at 4% with exemptions that keep Providence’s specific needs in mind, was shaped by months of public engagement across the city, extensive policy research, and input from national housing experts. According to the ordinance’s sponsors, the proposal is designed to bring predictability and fairness to a housing market where rent increases have too often outpaced what residents can afford.
“Tonight, the Providence City Council spoke for the 60% of residents in our city who rent their homes. We spoke for a positive vision of Providence where we build more housing, protect the homes we have, and stabilize rents so families can plan for their future, while ensuring property owners can continue to maintain and invest in their buildings,” said Council President Rachel Miller (Ward 13).
The ordinance is designed to give Providence residents the ability to plan for their future and remain in their homes, while taking into consideration the needs of property owners. It allows landlords to seek additional increases when necessary to cover significant capital improvements, major tax increases, or other legitimate large expenses. The system is complaint-based and does not impose ongoing reporting requirements, allowing it to provide strong protections without creating unnecessary bureaucracy.
The proposal also establishes a five-member Residential Rent Regulation Board to oversee implementation, resolve disputes, and ensure the policy is enforced fairly. Sponsors have emphasized the Board is a key part of a flexible, responsive system that can adapt to real-world conditions.
According to sponsors, the policy is carefully written to focus on the large, corporate landlords most responsible for extreme rent increases, while including exemptions for small, local owner-occupied landlords, deed-restricted affordable housing, and new construction. Amendments made in committee related to new development create a pathway to a 20-year exemption for projects that provide good-paying local jobs.
“This ordinance is informed by lessons from the 200 municipalities across the country with some form of rental regulation on the books. It was strengthened through extensive public input—from residents and organizations both supportive of and opposed to this effort,” Miller continued. “Tonight, it passed its first hurdle with support from a majority of the City Council. I’m deeply grateful to Chairman Pichardo, Chairwoman Harris, the members of the HOPE Committee and Housing Crisis Task Force, my fellow councilors, and our staff for the many hours spent shaping this proposal and listening to feedback. Most of all, I’m grateful to the residents of Providence who showed up, shared their stories, and made their voices heard.”
Tonight’s vote follows an extensive public process that included community listening sessions in neighborhoods across Providence—including the North End, South Side, East Side, Federal Hill, and the West End—more than seven hours of public testimony before the HOPE Committee, and over 900 written comments submitted to the City Clerk. Feedback from tenants, property owners, housing advocates, nonprofit developers, and policy experts directly informed a series of amendments that strengthened and clarified the proposal. A poll released earlier today in the Boston Globe shows strong support for rent stabilization in Providence, with 74% of likely Democratic voters saying they support limiting annual rent increases to 4 percent.
The ordinance must be approved a second time by a simple majority, or 8 votes, of the City Council before being sent to the mayor, who would then have 10 days to sign or veto the ordinance. If it is vetoed, the Council would have 30 days to override the veto with a two-thirds majority, or 10 votes.
Sponsors emphasized that rent stabilization is one part of a broader housing strategy that includes increasing supply, protecting existing housing stock, and stabilizing costs for residents. Over the past several years, the Council has advanced zoning reforms, invested in affordable housing, and supported development across the city.
Councilors introduced one of those additional tools focused on increasing the supply of affordable housing tonight. The Boosting Urban Investment to Launch Development (BUILD) Act was announced at an event yesterday, April 1st, with lead sponsors Council President Miller and Deputy Majority Leader Mary Kay Harris (Ward 11), other councilors, affordable housing developers, and community partners. Under the BUILD Act, qualifying low-income housing developers would not be taxed during the construction period before occupancy.
“If we’re serious about addressing the housing crisis, we have to make it possible to actually build affordable housing. Right now, projects can face full tax bills before any rent is coming in, which makes development much harder. The BUILD Act removes that barrier, helping projects move forward and supporting organizations that are building deeply affordable homes in neighborhoods like South Providence,” said Councilwoman Harris.
The proposal was referred to the Committee on Finance.
In a continued effort to support Providence youth, Councilor Miguel Sanchez (Ward 6) introduced amendments to the Juvenile Hearing Board ordinance. This measure mandates that juveniles who commit non-violent crimes are referred to the Juvenile Hearing Board, which provides youth with a community-based alternative to the criminal justice system.
“The Juvenile Hearing Board teaches, restores, and redirects youth who have made mistakes, guiding them towards better choices,” said Councilor Sanchez. “When communities take part in shaping consequences, they don’t just correct behavior, they break cycles and build futures.”
The proposal was referred to the HOPE Committee.
The next regular City Council meeting will convene on April 16, 2026.
