by Abigail Appel | Feb 5, 2021 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-1, Ward-10, Ward-12, Ward-13, Ward-14, Ward-15, Ward-2, Ward-3, Ward-6, Ward-7, Ward-8
At tonight’s City Council meeting, an ordinance which would ban housing discrimination for prospective renters who rely on alternative source of income such as a Federal Housing Choice Voucher, child support, Social Security, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), veteran’s assistance or any other form or lawful income had its first passage by the City Council. The ordinance was initially introduced by Councilor Rachel Miller (Ward 13) and is co-sponsored by Council President Sabina Matos (Ward 15), Majority Whip John J. Igliozzi, Esq. (Ward 7), and Councilors Helen Anthony (Ward 2), Michael Correia (Ward 6), John Goncalves (Ward 1), Nirva LaFortune (Ward 3), Kat Kerwin (Ward 12), Pedro Espinal (Ward 10), David A. Salvatore (Ward 14), and James E. Taylor (Ward 8).
“Our goal when we introduced this legislation in March 2019 was to expand opportunity for Providence residents and to ensure that our neighborhoods are income diverse and able to thrive,” stated Councilwoman Rachel Miller, Ward 13. “With Barrington passing a similar ordinance in 2020, and now Providence, we are paving the way to encourage more municipalities and the State to pass legislation to protect Rhode Island families. If you have the funds to pay your rent, that should be the end of the discussion. Sadly, for many in our community, it is not. We are one step closer to ending this pervasive discrimination, and that is a victory. Yet, there is still more work to be done to address the need for affordable housing not just here in Providence, but across the State.”
The Federal Fair Housing Act of 1968 and its amendments in 1988 prohibits housing discrimination based on race, color, religion, national origin, familial status, sex, and disability, and Rhode Island State law offers further protections; landlords may still reject interested renters because of where their income comes from, even if they can afford the requested rent. Those most vulnerable to this type of discrimination include tenants who are disproportionately disabled, low-income, families with children, and people of color.
“Discrimination in any form cannot and will not be tolerated in Providence. Tonight, we are one vote closer to making housing discrimination a thing of the past,” stated City Council President Sabina Matos. “Finding affordable housing is already a challenge in the City, and adding to that the sometimes blatant discrimination from landlords when they learn a potential renter has a voucher or subsidy is a frightening reality. This practice is putting the most vulnerable in our community at risk. Tonight is the beginning of the end to housing discrimination, and I want to thank Councilor Miller for leading the charge on this pressing issue. As we enter the second year of a global pandemic where more and more people find themselves living on the margins, and where so many Rhode Islanders are cost-burdened by rents, this important legislation will help more families find homes.”
According to a report published this month by the National Multifamily Housing Council, 16 states prohibit discrimination based on source of income. Also, there are more than 100 municipalities that have source of income discrimination legislation. Providence is the second municipality in Rhode Island to codify local protections for renters.
The recently released HousingWorks RI 2020 Housing Fact Book breaks down cost-burdened renter households by median incomes: $12,765 and below; $12,766-$25,792; and $25,793-$44,541. These incomes represent the lowest, lower-middle, and middle annual household incomes, respectively. In each of these brackets, 66 percent to 81 percent consider their households to be cost-burdened, while 12 percent to 60 percent across these groups consider themselves to be severely cost-burdened. This legislation is designed to help these families continue to have ample access to housing without fear of being denied rent based on source of income.
This ordinance will need a second passage by the Council before it is sent to the Mayor for his signature.
by Abigail Appel | Jan 28, 2021 | Council News, Ward-11
The Providence City Council is excited to announce this year’s Black History Month celebration! Led by Deputy Majority Leader Mary Kay Harris, the Council has teamed up with the Providence City Archives to create an online exhibit about the life and legacy of Michael S. Van Leesten -“Michael S. Van Leesten: The Bridge Builder”. The exhibit will feature photographs and stories from the decades Van Leesten spent as an activist for racial equity in voter registration, workforce development, and education reform.
The Van Leesten family has generously shared photographs, articles and personal stories to help build this exhibit highlighting his lifelong devotion to the City of Providence and social justice throughout the country.
On Monday, February 15, the City Council will host a virtual panel featuring a discussion on Van Leesten’s life and the pillars of activism that he embodied. Panelists will include family members, community leaders and close friends of Mr. Van Leesten.
Visit the Providence City Council and the Providence City Archives on the web next week to view the online exhibits and look out for social media posts highlighting Van Leesten’s life throughout the month. The Black History page will permanently remain on the Council and Archives web pages and will continue to be updated with new stories of the rich history that people of color have built in the City of Providence.
by Abigail Appel | Jan 26, 2021 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-15
Today our City lost a great community advocate in John “Johnnie” Britto.
For over 60 years, Mr. Britto served the community as a mentor and friend to countless young people that came into the Fox Point Boys and Girls Club.
I extend my sympathies to his wife Eufemia Britto, his children, and grandchildren. His loss will be felt by many in the Fox Point community.
On behalf of the City Council we wish his family peace during this difficult time.
Sabina Matos, President
Providence City Council
Councilwoman – Ward 15
by Abigail Appel | Jan 26, 2021 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-1
As a lifelong resident of the Fox Point neighborhood, Johnny Britto was not just a devoted husband, father, and grandfather, but he was a fixture in the community and an inspiration.
He was a coach, friend, and mentor to every single young person that came through the Fox Point Boys and Girls Club for over 60 years. When he retired in 2017, he was awarded the Outstanding Citizenship Hero Award by Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island; the American Red Cross recognized him for his giving spirit and selfless service to Providence. He was also honored by countless City officials for his life and work.
I have known the Britto family my whole life, and the impact that both he and his beloved wife Eufemia “Fama” Britto made on the community is immeasurable. Their commitment to the community and their legacy has left an indelible mark on me and countless others.
My deepest condolences to the entire Britto family, and to the thousands in the greater community who will be impacted by his passing. To all those that knew and loved Johnny, please keep his family close to your heart during this difficult time. His passing leaves a large hole in our community.
I am better for knowing Mr. Britto, as is everyone who knew him.
John Goncalves
Providence City Council
Councilman – Ward 1
by Abigail Appel | Jan 20, 2021 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-4
I wish to commend the Providence Police Narcotics Bureau for their excellent work this past weekend. I want to personally thank Captain Kevin Lanni and his team for their diligence in getting these weapons and drugs off our City streets.
Over the past many months our Police Officers have faced some very difficult circumstances, and yet they continue to act with professionalism and integrity.
I thank them each for their service to the City and the residents of Providence.
Nicholas J. Narducci, Jr., Senior Deputy Majority Leader
Providence City Council
Councilman – Ward 4
by Abigail Appel | Jan 13, 2021 | Council News, Press Release, Ward-1, Ward-10, Ward-11, Ward-12, Ward-13, Ward-14, Ward-15, Ward-2, Ward-3, Ward-4, Ward-5, Ward-6, Ward-7, Ward-8, Ward-9
At last week’s City Council Meeting, the Providence City Council passed a resolution requesting the Office of Sustainability collaborate with the Purchasing Department, the Healthy Communities Office, the Providence Public School Department, and the school district’s food service and facilities management companies to create an Environmentally Preferable Purchasing Policy (EPP Policy) for the City of Providence. The resolution was introduced by Councilman John Goncalves (Ward 1) and co-sponsored by Council President Sabina Matos (Ward 15), Council Majority Leader JoAnn Ryan (Ward 5), Senior Deputy Majority Leader Nicholas J. Narducci Jr. (Ward 4), Deputy Majority leader Mary Kay Harris (Ward 11), Majority Whip John J. Igliozzi, Esq. (Ward 7), Councilors Helen Anthony, Esq. (Ward 2), Pedro Espinal (Ward 10), Kat Kerwin (Ward 12), Rachel Miller (Ward 13), David A. Salvatore (Ward 14) Carmen Castillo (Ward 9), Michael Correia (Ward 6), and James E. Taylor (Ward 8).
In November of last year, Councilman Goncalves drafted a resolution calling for the City of Providence to share an inventory of single-use plastics used at City-owned properties. Based on discussions with Providence’s Office of Sustainability, the Environmental Sustainability Task Force and Clean Water Action Rhode Island, the resolution was later broadened to include environmentally preferable practices in all City purchasing, not just single-use plastics.
“What we learned when researching our City’s purchasing practices is that there is room for an environmentally friendly approach in many areas, not just single-use plastics. This new resolution encourages an Environmentally Preferable Purchasing Policy that holistically addresses environmental and health concerns such as reducing the use of products containing neurotoxic chemicals along with purchasing products that contribute to a local, regenerative, and circular economy in Providence,” stated Councilman John Goncalves.
An EPP Policy will guide City staff and contractors in making purchasing choices that minimize negative impacts on human health and the environment while supporting the goals outlined in the City’s Climate Justice Plan. Making the switch to EPP does not have to be a costly endeavor as more and more cities and nations are going “green.” Items that would replace single-use plastics and other supplies have sharply decreased in price to be equivalent or even less costly than their traditional alternatives, particularly when lifecycle costs are taken into account. Coupled with third-party certification programs to guide staff, this can be a win-win for the city’s fiscal health and our goal of being carbon neutral by 2050.
Majority Leader Jo-Ann Ryan expressed, “I was very happy to join Councilor Goncalves as a co-sponsor on this important initiative. When we are looking at how we are spending our precious tax dollars I believe that putting an eye on greener and more efficient purchasing will benefit our City’s fiscal health in the long term. This is another great step in making Providence a greener city.”
Additionally, Councilor Helen Anthony, one of the co-sponsors of the resolution stated, “I’m proud to support the adoption of the Environmental Preferable Purchasing Policy by the City of Providence. We need to lead by example. Green purchasing will minimize the negative environmental impacts of the products and services used by the City and generate a healthier environment for our residents.”
“With an EPP Policy, the City can leverage its purchasing power to lead by example in city-owned schools and facilities, create a healthy workplace, schools, and community spaces, and help build a sustainable, zero-waste economy right here in Providence,” said Leah Bamberger, Director of Sustainability. “The Office of Sustainability looks forward to working with colleagues and contractors across the City to explore purchasing options that prioritize the health of our people and planet.”
Some of the goals of an EPP policy as outlined in the resolution are to encourage City staff to purchase products and institute practices that reduce waste and materials that are landfilled, especially single-use plastics; conserve energy and water; reduce greenhouse gas emissions; and minimize the use of products containing neurotoxic chemicals. An EPP policy would create incentives for healthy, low-impact purchasing in City-owned facilities and encourage other consumers to adopt similar policies.
“We are grateful to Councilman Goncalves not only for the content of this Resolution – which will help put the City on a path to achieving goals set forth in the Climate Justice Plan – but also for actively engaging with the community and incorporating feedback from the Environmental Sustainability Task Force’s meeting. The Task Force unanimously voted to support the Resolution in December and we want to express thanks to the Councilman for demonstrating collaborative governance,” said Sue AnderBois, Chair of the Environmental Sustainability Task Force.
“I am grateful to the many community partners who have worked to create this plan to institute an EPP Policy including the City of Providence Office of Sustainability and Purchasing Department, my Council colleagues, Mayor Elorza, the Environmental Sustainability Task Force, Clean Water Action Rhode Island, as well as national partner Healthy Babies Bright Futures. I look forward to seeing this initiative come to fruition in the City of Providence as we lead by example and work together to find new ways to ensure that the City of Providence is a green, clean and healthy place for all who reside here,” added Councilman Goncalves.
To read the full resolution, click here.
