by Council Staff | Jun 18, 2026 | Add Council Logo, Council News, Miguel Sanchez, Press Release
Providence, RI – At tonight’s city council meeting, councilors passed the City’s $636 million budget for fiscal year 2027.
Under the leadership of Chair Miguel Sanchez, the Special Committee on Ways and Means hosted two public hearings and met with every city department to review the proposed budget. After thoughtful vetting, councilors negotiated essential new positions to expand capacity for sustainability and clean energy work across city programs, restore critical staffing at PEMA to improve emergency preparedness, expand PERA’s civilian police oversight capacity, and create a new position to support the city’s veterans. The Council also meaningfully increased funding for sports programming for city youth, community libraries that will allow for expanded hours, and support for our unhoused neighbors via Mathewson Street Church. Together, these changes reflect the Council’s broader priorities by strengthening core city services, investing in neighborhood quality of life, and making city government more transparent and accountable to the people it serves.
“I want to thank my fellow councilors, as well as the Finance Department, for making a difficult job as straightforward as possible,” said Ways and Means Chair Miguel Sanchez (Ward 6). “We spent the last several months meeting with all the department directors to make sure that every taxpayer dollar is being spent responsibly. The resulting amendments to the 2027 Providence City budget ensure that the city has the staffing and resources necessary to function at its very best.”
Councilors also voted for the first time in favor of ordinance amendments that would reform how the justice system treats young people, intending to create a clearer, fairer path to diversion for Providence youth.
The Juvenile Hearing Board is Providence’s community-based alternative to Family Court for eligible young people, helping connect youth with accountability, support services, and non-carceral responses to non-violent crimes. Instead of pushing children unnecessarily into the traditional court system, the JHB gives young people the opportunity to repair harm, learn from mistakes, and move forward.
Under the current system, when an eligible young person is arrested, referral to the Juvenile Hearing Board is entirely discretionary—determined by the detective on duty. Over the last three years, 508 young people were eligible for the JHB, but only 108 were actually referred. Referrals essentially never happen at night, meaning a child’s access to diversion can depend on timing, luck, or which officer is at work.
The amendments would make JHB referral automatic for eligible youth arrested for first or second nonviolent offenses, with exceptions. The goal, according to sponsors, is to ensure that access to diversion is guided by clear, consistent rules, rather than individual discretion, and that more Providence youth have access to community-based accountability, support, and repair before being pushed into the criminal legal system.
The ordinance will require a second passage by the Council before becoming law.
The next regular city council meeting will convene on July 2, 2026.
by Council Staff | Jun 11, 2026 | Add Council Logo, Council News, Mary Kay Harris, Press Release, Rachel Miller
Committee on Ways and Means passes 8 Law ordinance and the BUILD Act
Providence, RI – Tonight, the Committee on Ways and Means unanimously recommended two ordinances to the full council addressing housing and fair taxation.
The first, Providence 8 Law Qualifications, establishes local rules for how Providence grants the 8% tax treatment within the city. According to sponsors, the 8 Law ordinance would end misuse of a low-income tax treatment by wealthy developers, who use it for largely market rate or luxury properties.
Per state law, low-income housing may receive a special tax rate, with taxes calculated at 8% of their gross scheduled rental income. Because the law lacks clear eligibility standards, that benefit has been applied more broadly than intended, including to luxury apartment buildings with only a limited number of affordable units, and even to commercial portions of mixed-use developments. The Providence 8 Law ordinance would close these loopholes by defining exactly what properties are eligible for the 8% tax rate, ensuring that the low-income tax treatment is actually used for low-income and affordable housing.
“Providence is in a crushing housing crisis, and every tool we use to support affordable housing should actually benefit low-income residents,” said Council President and Act Sponsor Rachel Miller (Ward 13). “This ordinance makes clear that the 8% tax treatment is for low-income housing, not a giveaway for ultrawealthy developers to do with as they please. After the mayor vetoed this effort last year, the Council listened to feedback from the tax assessor, affordable housing partners, and community stakeholders. This reintroduced version reduces administrative burden, aligns eligibility with other low-income housing and taxation standards, and protects existing affordable housing that relies on this tax treatment. I’m grateful to Chair Pichardo and the members of the HOPE committee for advancing a fair, practical ordinance that will help ensure public dollars are used for their intended purpose: keeping Providence affordable for the people who live here.”
In April 2024, the City Council passed by a 13-2 vote an 8 Law ordinance that would have applied the low-income tax treatment only to the restricted units themselves. The ordinance was then vetoed by Mayor Brett Smiley. Rather than just applying to individual units, the new version heard this evening sets affordability thresholds that align with other low-income housing programs. Working closely with affordable housing developers, the sponsors put forth an ordinance that aligns eligibility with the federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credit.
Additionally, existing properties will continue to be eligible as part of a clause that preserves eligibility for property where either:
- at least 20% of residential units are restricted to households earning 80% or less of the area medium income (AMI) or
- at least 40% of residential units are restricted to households earning 120% AMI or less.
The second, the BUILD Act, would eliminate taxation during the construction period of affordable housing development, in a move that sponsors say will reduce one barrier to affordable housing development.
Currently, 8 Law only goes into effect upon occupancy of the rental units, since the tax treatment is determined by rental income. In between the start of construction and occupancy, properties are taxed at the regular rate. This is especially problematic when unexpected delays arise, forcing developers truly committed to building affordable housing units to face tax bills they may not be able to afford.
The BUILD Act will change that by providing a two-year tax stabilization period for eligible affordable development projects before tenants move in and they are taxed at 8% of scheduled rental income. By removing the tax burden from the start, the BUILD Act would clear a difficult barrier to the construction of more affordable housing, especially the deeply affordable housing needed by the lowest income households.
“These laws work together to make sure 8 Law in this city is fair to all,” said Councilwoman and Act sponsor Mary Kay Harris (Ward 11). “No more giving money away to developers and landlords who don’t act in good faith. Instead, we’re going to help legitimate affordable housing developers make their projects possible. Appropriate 8 Law taxation is finally coming to Providence.”
Alongside these efforts to build a more just housing and taxation landscape in the City of Providence, the Council has taken a host of actions to address the housing crisis, including working to increase the supply of affordable housing by allocating tens of millions of dollars in new funding for the Providence Housing Trust Fund, prioritizing inclusionary zoning policies in the 2024 Comprehensive Plan, and passing rent stabilization which was then vetoed by Mayor Smiley. The Council also created a requirement for the Housing Trust Fund to be used strictly for low- and moderate-income housing (below 80% AMI). To learn more about the City Council’s work to combat the housing crisis, visit the Housing Hub.
The BUILD Act and 8 Law ordinances will be considered for the first time by the full council at the June 18th City Council meeting on the third floor of City Hall.
by Council Staff | Jun 4, 2026 | Add Council Logo, Council News, Press Release, Rachel Miller
Providence, RI – Tonight, councilors unanimously passed amendments to strengthen civilian oversight of the Providence Police Department by expanding the Providence External Review Authority’s (PERA’s) oversight powers.
The updated ordinance will correct significant inefficiency in PERA’s investigative process by giving PERA direct access to many internal police systems and records for official PERA functions. The ordinance will help reduce the time it takes to conduct proper investigations, support more thorough investigations, and ensure PERA can carry out its responsibilities with greater independence, while including significant confidentiality protections.
“Tonight’s vote empowers PERA to fulfill its original mission—to provide effective civilian oversight of the Providence Police Department,” said Council President Rachel Miller. “For too long, PERA has not had the tools, access, or authority needed to carry out full and transparent investigations on behalf of city residents. This ordinance helps make the Council’s promise real, which will ultimately strengthen the trust between residents and the city institutions meant to serve them.”
The amendments also add a directive to periodically audit Internal Affairs investigations and the creation of an Early Warning System to flag officers involved in incidents of concern. These reforms will give people who report police misconduct a clearer path to review from outside the police department, strengthening accountability and increasing public safety.
“The changes to the PERA ordinance are necessary for us to effectively and efficiently carry out our mandate to conduct fair, thorough, and impartial police oversight operations,” said Ferenc Karoly, Esq., the Executive Director of PERA. “These amendments will allow us to accurately assess police misconduct cases and report those results out to the public to improve the quality of police services and increase trust between the community and the police department. Our goal is to serve the community in collaboration with the police department to ensure civil rights are protected and misconduct is reduced through accountability and transparency.”
Tonight, councilors also finalized passage of zoning and licensing regulations for entertainment in Providence. These amendments allow amplified live music, trivia, and karaoke in bars and restaurants and expand opportunities for temporary entertainment events while establishing certain rules and an annual licensing fee for these activities. The amendments also set firm end times for indoor incidental live music (9 p.m. on weeknights and 11 p.m. on weekends), while keeping in place noise regulations in consideration of nearby residents.
The updated zoning and new licensing ordinances together create a balanced solution that supports artists, restaurants, and patrons in the Creative Capital while maintaining calm and quiet neighborhoods for residents.
The next regular City Council meeting will convene on June 18, 2026.
by Council Staff | May 22, 2026 | Add Council Logo, Council News, Justin Roias, Press Release
Providence, RI —Tenant unions are organizations of tenants that come together to advocate for themselves and their neighbors. Our neighbors at the Etta Apartments in the North End have come together to establish the Etta Apartments Tenant Union (EATU). These tenants have united to fight for better living conditions.
Etta Apartment residents are under the Section 8 program, meaning that their living situations are subsidized by the Department of Housing and Urban Development. This apartment complex in particular works with elderly residents of our community. In order to form the union, over 70% of them signed cards saying that they want to organize as a group and then negotiate with the landlord for improvements!
EATU has been dealing with all sorts of issues for years, including, but not limited to:
- Lack of maintenance and update standards
- Unjust towing of tenants’ vehicles
- Over the top fees for AC usage
- Absentee management
- No accountability for the owner or property manager
- Disrespect
As a long-time Providence resident and city councilor, I fully support the tenants in their fight for fair treatment. Why is it that elderly folks living in subsidized housing should ever have to deal with questions of heat, cost, respect, or dignity? Unfortunately, groups like Providence Realty Investment (the owners of the building) and Wingate (the property management company) reap in millions of dollars in tax incentives and federal dollars only to ignore our most vulnerable communities. While Providence Realty Investment boasts a portfolio of 19 different subsidized housing complexes in RI and MA, and while the company’s owners live in multi-million dollar mansions, they leave our elders in a precarious position.
Providence Realty Investment now has the opportunity to do the right thing: sit down with the tenants and negotiate a fair lease. Don’t retaliate against these tenants for using their federal right to organize (remember, retaliation is against the law). Respect their wishes. Treat your tenants the way you should have from the start. If you do, there’s an incredible opportunity ahead to build a future for these tenants, a future where they are fully respected and where their needs are listened to and met.
I have the back of every single tenant organizing in this building, and I won’t let greedy landlords come in and take public dollars to violate your federal right to organize. It’s time for every tenant in this city to have a voice by organizing into a tenant union, and I can’t wait to see what EATU is able to achieve as it grows and negotiates with the landlord.
by Council Staff | May 21, 2026 | Add Council Logo, Council News, John Goncalves, Justin Roias, Mary Kay Harris, Press Release, Rachel Miller, Sue AnderBois
The ordinance strengthening PERA requires one more vote to become law
Providence, RI – Tonight, councilors voted for the first time to strengthen civilian oversight of the Providence Police Department (PPD) by expanding the Providence External Review Authority’s (PERA’s) oversight powers. Currently, PERA relies heavily on PPD for access to information, which limits its ability to operate independently.
Sponsors of the bill say that the proposed amendments would give PERA the tools, access, and authority to conduct real, independent oversight with direct access to internal police systems and records, the ability to audit Internal Affairs investigations, and the creation of an Early Warning System to flag officers who may need counseling or retraining. These reforms would give Providence residents a clearer path to review from outside the police department, strengthening accountability and increasing public safety.
“For years, PERA has been tasked with investigating police misconduct without the tools, access, and authority to do that work independently,” said Council President Rachel Miller. “Today’s vote is a major step toward real civilian oversight—giving PERA meaningful access to the systems and information it needs to conduct independent investigations and strengthen public trust. This legislation builds on decades of organization by community members who have demanded a system of accountability that does not depend on the institution it is meant to oversee. Real public safety means safe neighborhoods, yes—but it also means confidence that when harm occurs, there is a path to justice.”
Additionally, councilors finalized passage of the $3 million Green Revolving Fund and $5.45 million Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) budget, significant investments in the overall health and well-being of Providence residents and the city itself.
CDBG funds reach every corner of the city. Distributed as grants to the city’s community centers and public service organizations, utilized for neighborhood park and facility improvements, and invested in homelessness prevention and affordable housing projects, CDBG funding decisions reflect the needs of the city as well as ward priorities.
“This has been the most efficient and collaborative URRP process of my term,” said Councilwoman Mary Kay Harris (Ward 11), who serves as chair of the Committee on Urban Redevelopment, Renewal, & Planning (URRP). “I’m so proud of how many programs and projects we have been able to meaningfully support in this new funding cycle.”
Some important allocations of funding to highlight include:
- $20,000 for the Mathewson Street United Methodist Church’s food services program.
- $40,000 for the Rhode Island Hispanic Chamber (which recently celebrated its tenth anniversary!) of Commerce for economic development support.
- $657,360 housing grant for Amos House to rehabilitate homes at 428, 430, and 434 Pine Street.
- An additional $70,000 for Amos House’s A Hand Up program, which offers work opportunities to more than 500 people who are actively participating in, and at risk for, panhandling.
- $85,000 for the Woonasquatucket River Watershed Council’s “Merino Park and Greenway Accessibility Project.”
- An additional $75,000 in Ward 6 and Ward 7 neighborhood investment funding to support Merino Park pedestrian access improvements.
Mayor Brett Smiley and the City Council will issue a more detailed joint press release on CDBG projects and the benefits of the ordinance.
While the CDBG budget focuses on building healthy and well-supported communities, the Green Revolving Fund looks to the emissions footprint of city buildings. The GRF will serve as a much-needed mechanism for the city to reach its goal for municipal buildings to be carbon neutral by 2040. Projects will include such improvements and upgrades as installation of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems; installation of solar panels and other renewable energy systems; and weatherization and other updates to tighten building envelopes. The savings from the reduction in energy costs, alongside incentives and rebates, will be reinvested into the Fund.
“The work that we are doing to decarbonize, to invest in energy efficiency, it is working, not just to help the environment, but to save our residents and our taxpayers real money,” said Green Revolving Fund sponsor Councilor Sue AnderBois (Ward 3) during the May 7th city council meeting. “Providence [is] leading the way and showing that we’re seeing savings. And even if the federal and state governments try to disinvest in this, we’re going to use our savings to create our own incentives to keep going.”
“If decarbonization doesn’t move you, then let cost savings move you,” added Councilor Justin Roias (Ward 4).
Councilman John Goncalves (Ward 1) introduced an ordinance that would prohibit rent increases above 10% during states of emergency, and for 30 days afterward, declared by the President or Governor and the Mayor. The ordinance would create a 3-1-1 complaint category for tenants to report rent increases of 15% or more and require housing inspections when tenants report rent increases of 25% or more, with credible supporting documentation. The ordinance was referred to the Special Committee on Health, Opportunity, Prosperity, and Education for further review.
Just in time for summer, councilors completed first passage of the updated entertainment ordinance. The updated ordinance creates the definition of expanded incidental entertainment, clarifies what qualifies as entertainment under this new definition, changes licensing requirements, and sets clearer hours for general indoor and outdoor music, while reinforcing noise regulations in consideration of nearby residents. According to sponsors, the updated ordinance is necessary to support and create consistency for the local artists and venues that make Providence the Creative Capital.
The next regular City Council meeting will convene on June 4, 2026.
