by Council Staff | Jun 25, 2025 | Add Council Logo, Juan M. Pichardo, Rachel Miller
Today, in direct response to the brutal and unconstitutional enforcement tactics currently being undertaken by the far-right federal administration, Providence City Council President Rachel Miller announced that a “Know Your Rights” mail piece will be sent to every household in the city with instruction in both English and Spanish about how to respond to immigration enforcement officials. By taking this unprecedented action to protect our immigrant communities, councilors are sending a clear message: every Providence resident has a right to lead a dignified life free from state-sponsored intimidation and terrorization.
“The Providence City Council is partnering with organizations that represent our diverse community to promote safety and inclusion in the face of fear and uncertainty that pervades our city’s immigrant communities due to the reckless cruelty of the Trump administration,” said Council President Miller. “For nearly 400 years, immigrants have been and continue to be vital to Providence. The Council stands together to say immigrants are welcome here and to encourage every member of our community to educate themselves about their constitutional rights and where to find help if they need it.”
The two-sided, 6×11 jumbo postcard was created by the city council in partnership with several local immigrant rights, labor, and advocacy organizations, including:
- Progreso Latino
- Olneyville Neighborhood Association
- New Bridges for Haitian Success (NB4HS)
- Providence Youth Student Movement (PRSYM)
- Unite Here Local 26 Providence
- SEIU 1199 RI
- Rhode Island AFL-CIO
- Alliance of RI Southeast Asians (ARISE)
- Alliance to Mobilize Our Resistance (AMOR)
- Guatemalan Center
- Latino Policy Institute
- International Union of Painters and Allied Trades (IUPAT)
- Quisqueya en Acción
- Center for Justice
- Parents Leading for Educational Equity (PLEE)
The card consists of two sections – in the top section, residents are advised of their constitutional rights with actions to take if an ICE agent comes to their door, for example not to open the door unless officers present a valid warrant signed by a judge. The lower portion of the card can be cut from the whole, kept in a wallet, and presented to immigration enforcement officers when no valid judicial warrant is displayed.
The card also lists no-cost legal assistance helplines, including a 24/7 helpline operated by Dorcas International, supported in part by council-allocated funds, as well as the bilingual Deportation Defense Line of Rhode Island, which alerts trained responders to suspected ICE presence in local communities.
Finally, residents are advised of the free municipal ID cards available to all Providence residents through the “IDPVD” program. More information on this program can be found at www.providenceri.gov/idpvd.
“Providence is a city of immigrants in a nation of immigrants,” said Council President Pro Tempore Juan M. Pichardo. “Nothing is more fundamental to the American experience than the right to live here peacefully and prosperously, regardless of country of origin or documentation status. This mailer will help remind our residents of those rights and of the resources available to our immigrant communities.”
The mailer is currently being processed and should begin arriving at residents’ homes over the next several business days.
El Concejo Anuncia el Envío de una Tarjeta Informativa a Todos los Hogares con Información sobre los Derechos de los Inmigrantes
Hoy, en respuesta directa a las tácticas brutales e inconstitucionales que está utilizando la actual administración federal de extrema derecha, la presidenta del Concejo Municipal de Providence, Rachel Miller, anunció que todos los hogares de la ciudad recibirán por correo una tarjeta informativa titulada “Conozca Sus Derechos”, con instrucciones en inglés y español sobre cómo responder ante la presencia de agentes de inmigración. Con esta acción sin precedentes para proteger a las comunidades inmigrantes, el Concejo Municipal envía un mensaje claro: todas las personas que viven en Providence tienen derecho a vivir con dignidad, sin miedo, y libres de intimidación o terror patrocinado por el Estado.
“El Concejo Municipal de Providence se ha unido a organizaciones que representan a nuestra comunidad diversa para promover la seguridad y la inclusión ante el miedo e inseguridad que viven nuestras comunidades inmigrantes por la crueldad imprudente de la administración de Trump”, dijo la presidenta del Concejo, Rachel Miller. “Durante casi 400 años, los inmigrantes han sido y siguen siendo esenciales para Providence. El Concejo reafirma que las personas inmigrantes son bienvenidas aquí e invita a toda la comunidad a conocer sus derechos constitucionales y dónde buscar ayuda si la necesitan”.
La tarjeta informativa, de gran tamaño (6×11 pulgadas) e impresa por ambos lados, fue diseñada por el Concejo en colaboración con diversas organizaciones locales que trabajan por los derechos de las personas inmigrantes, laborales y comunitarias, entre ellas:
- Progreso Latino
- Asociación Vecinal de Olneyville / Olneyville Neighborhood Association
- New Bridges for Haitian Success (NB4HS) / Nuevos Puentes para el Éxito Haitiano
- Providence Youth Student Movement (PRSYM) / Movimiento Juvenil de Estudiantes de Providence
- Unite Here Local 26 Providence / Sindicato Unite Here Local 26 Providence
- SEIU 1199 RI / Sindicato Internacional de Empleados de Servicios 1199 Rhode Island
- Rhode Island AFL-CIO / Federación Estadounidense del Trabajo y Congreso de Organizaciones Industriales de Rhode Island
- ARISE – Alliance of Rhode Island Southeast Asians for Education / Alianza de Asiáticos del Sudeste de Rhode Island
- AMOR – Alliance to Mobilize Our Resistance / Alianza para Movilizar Nuestra Resistencia
- Guatemalan Center / Centro Guatemalteco
- Latino Policy Institute / Instituto de Políticas Latinas
- International Union of Painters and Allied Trades (IUPAT) / Unión Internacional de Pintores y Oficios Afines
- Quisqueya en Acción
- Center for Justice / Centro de Justicia
- Parents Leading for Educational Equity / Padres Liderando por la Equidad Educativa
La tarjeta tiene dos secciones principales. La parte superior explica los derechos constitucionales que protegen a todas las personas. Ofrece instrucciones claras sobre qué hacer si un agente de inmigración (ICE) llega a la casa, por ejemplo, no abrir la puerta a menos que muestren una orden válida firmada por un juez. La parte inferior se puede recortar y guardar en la cartera. Esta parte puede mostrarse a oficiales si no presentan una orden judicial válida.
También se incluyen números de teléfono gratuitos para asistencia legal, como la línea 24/7 operada por Dorcas International, financiada en parte con fondos del Concejo, y la Línea de Defensa Contra Deportaciones de Rhode Island, bilingüe, que activa una red de respuesta ante la presencia de ICE en la comunidad.
Finalmente, la tarjeta informa sobre el programa municipal IDPVD, que ofrece tarjetas de identificación gratuitas para todos los residentes de Providence, sin importar su estatus migratorio. Más información en: www.providenceri.gov/idpvd.
“Providence es una ciudad de inmigrantes en una nación de inmigrantes”, declaró el presidente pro tempore del Concejo Juan M. Pichardo. “Nada es más esencial para la experiencia estadounidense que el derecho a vivir aquí en paz y prosperidad, sin importar el país de origen ni la documentación. Este folleto ayudará a recordar a nuestros residentes esos derechos y los recursos disponibles para nuestras comunidades inmigrants.”
La tarjeta ya está en proceso de impresión y comenzará a llegar a los hogares en los próximos días laborables.
by Council Staff | Jun 12, 2025 | Add Council Logo, Juan M. Pichardo, Justin Roias, Miguel Sanchez, Rachel Miller
Today, Providence City Council President Rachel Miller announced that the city council will be honoring an “informational boycott” of WLNE-TV television news station, the ABC affiliate for the Providence market, in response to a request from workers at the station who have been engaged for over a year in contract negotiations with parent company Standard Media.
The newsroom union representing workers at the station, NABET-CWA, issued a request on the morning of June 11th for elected officials to cease all non-essential correspondence and engagement with the network, following management’s recent abandonment of good-faith negotiations with the union. Organizers at the station, operating as NABET-ABC6, are seeking standard job benefits and a livable wage.
“The need for high-quality local journalism is fundamental to any functioning democracy. This need is more acute now than ever, at a time when both our democracy and our information environment are facing existential threats from the federal government,” said Council President Miller. “So it is particularly disappointing and disturbing that Standard Media has chosen not to pay its workers a fair wage. Providence City Council will not work with any business that treats workers in this way. We urge station management to return to the negotiating table immediately.”
With the exception of urgent situations affecting the safety of Providence residents, this release will be the final communication the Providence City Council office sends to ABC6 until workers and station management reach a fair contract.
Under the leadership of Council President Miller, Providence City Council has consistently demonstrated unwavering support for the essential right of Providence workers to collectively bargain. In March of last year, Providence City Council unanimously passed a resolution in support of unionization efforts at ABC6. In October, President Pro Tempore Juan M. Pichardo (Ward 9), Councilor Miguel Sanchez (Ward 6), and Chief of Staff June Rose spoke at a rally outside of the ABC6 headquarters.
More recently, councilors passed resolutions supporting unionizing educators at Highlander and Cuffee charter schools as well as striking healthcare workers at Butler Hospital, just a few of the 13 such resolutions passed by city council this term. Last month, Council President Miller, Councilor Justin Roias (Ward 4), and Councilor Miguel Sanchez joined Butler workers with SEIU 1199 NE on the picket line.
Providence City Council will continue to advocate and show up for organized labor in our city and defend the right of workers everywhere to demand fair wages, safe working conditions, and the dignity they deserve.
by Council Staff | Jun 5, 2025 | Add Council Logo, John Goncalves, Juan M. Pichardo, Justin Roias, Mary Kay Harris, Miguel Sanchez, Rachel Miller, Shelley Peterson
Tonight, Providence City Council President Rachel Miller introduced an amendment to the city’s noise ordinance which would exempt striking workers from violations. This protection follows the recent unnecessary and targeted fining of workers at Butler Hospital, who for more than two weeks have been exercising their right to peacefully demonstrate for a livable wage and safe working conditions.
“The noise ordinance was never intended to silence people exercising their right to fight for their families,” said Council President Miller. “The workers at Butler Hospital are striking for fair wages and safe working conditions—and doing so peacefully. I’ve joined them on the picket line, bullhorn in hand, and seen firsthand their commitment to their patients and our community. Yet they’ve been hit with $500 fines simply for making their voices heard. Butler’s workers are eager to return to the jobs they love—as soon as they win a fair contract that ends poverty-level wages and unsafe conditions. We won’t punish them in the meantime. This amendment makes it clear: Providence will not use selective enforcement of the noise ordinance to silence workers standing up for their rights.”
The measure was referred to the Committee on Ordinances. Council also passed a resolution of support for these striking workers, once again sending a clear message of councilors’ unwavering commitment to Providence workers and their right to collective bargain.
Councilors also granted final passage to an ordinance adopting the city’s Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) budget for Program Year 2025-26, and authorizing the city to submit its annual CDBG, HOME Investment Partnership, Emergency Solution Grant, and Housing Opportunity for Persons with AIDS grant applications to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The total CDBG allocation is $5,340,000 for more than a dozen local organizations serving the Providence community.
“The Community Development Block Grant program is an invaluable lifeline to the frontline organizations serving communities across our city,” said Councilwoman Mary Kay Harris (Ward 11), who, as Chairwoman of the Committee on Urban Redevelopment, Renewal, and Planning, has oversight of the CDBG award process. “From elder care and literacy programs to food for neighbors in need, the services provided by this year’s awardees enrich, shape, and even save lives. Just last week, we attended the opening of a new 35-unit Health and Housing development by Crossroads Rhode Island, an organization supported in part by CDBG. Every dollar spent through this program makes our communities stronger.”
Tonight’s meeting featured introduction of two ordinances providing tenant organizations and local business employees “rights of first refusal” for the purchase of apartment buildings and businesses, respectively, listed for sale in Providence. The first such ordinance, introduced by Councilor Justin Roias (Ward 4), would give tenant organizations at subject properties the first chance to buy their properties from building owners when the owners decide to sell, with qualified nonprofits given the second opportunity to purchase before those properties can be sold to other parties. A second ordinance, introduced by Councilor Miguel Sanchez (Ward 6), would grant the same right to employees of small businesses in the city. Both ordinances were referred to the Committee on Health, Opportunity, Prosperity, and Education.
Also tonight, councilors passed several resolutions in support of legislation currently pending before the Rhode Island General Assembly, including House Bill H6334, introduced by Representative Rebecca Kislak at the request of the city council, which would authorize municipalities to impose a surcharge of $2 on ticket sales for venues with a capacity of more than 800 people. This small surcharge would represent a major new source of revenue for the City of Providence during a time of acute financial challenge and is just one of several new revenue streams proposed by councilors to be enacted alongside a fair and balanced city budget.
Councilors also introduced three ordinances relating to college student housing in the city. The first, introduced by Councilwoman Shelley Peterson (Ward 14) and Councilman John Goncalves (Ward 1) would create a student impact fee for buildings that rent entirely to students. The second, introduced by Councilwoman Peterson, would create a licensure process for student housing providers. The third, also introduced by Councilwoman Peterson, would codify the Nuisance Task Force under the purview of the City Solicitor. All three ordinances were referred to committee.
Additional meeting highlights:
- Passage of a resolution introduced by Councilwoman Mary Kay Harris (Ward 11) establishing an honorary street designation in tribute to Mattie L. Smith.
- Passage of a resolution introduced by President Pro Tempore Juan M. Pichardo (Ward 9) and advanced with unanimous support from the Committee on Health, Opportunity, Prosperity, and Education opposing the dismantling of the U.S. Department of Education.
- Passage of a resolution introduced by President Pro Tempore Pichardo supporting a state legislative measure to grant limited state recognition to the Seaconke Wampanoag Tribe.
Los Concejales Presentan Exención de la Ordenanza de Ruido para Trabajadores en Huelga, Derecho Preferente para Organizaciones de Inquilinos y Trabajadores
Esta noche, la presidenta del Concejo Municipal de Providence Rachel Miller presentó una enmienda a la ordenanza municipal sobre ruido que eximiría a los trabajadores en huelga de infracciones. Esta protección surge tras las recientes multas innecesarias y selectivas a los trabajadores del Hospital Butler, quienes durante más de dos semanas han ejercido su derecho a manifestarse pacíficamente para exigir un salario digno y condiciones laborales seguras.
“La ordenanza sobre el ruido nunca tuvo la intención de silenciar a las personas que ejercen su derecho a luchar por sus familias”, dijo la presidenta del Concejo Miller. “Los trabajadores del Hospital Butler están en huelga por salarios justos y condiciones laborales seguras—y lo hacen de forma pacífica. Me he unido a ellos en el piquete, con megáfono en mano, y he visto de primera mano su compromiso con sus pacientes y nuestra comunidad. Sin embargo, han recibido multas de $500 simplemente por alzar su voz. Los trabajadores de Butler están ansiosos por regresar a los trabajos que aman—tan pronto como obtengan un contrato justo que acabe con los salarios que los mantienen en la pobreza y las condiciones peligrosas. Mientras tanto, no los castigaremos. Esta enmienda lo deja claro: Providence no utilizará la aplicación selectiva de la ordenanza sobre el ruido para silenciar a los trabajadores que defienden sus derechos.”
La medida fue remitida al Comité de Ordenanzas. El Concejo también aprobó una resolución de apoyo a estos trabajadores en huelga, reforzando una vez mas el firme compromiso de los concejales con los trabajadores de Providence y su derecho a la negociación colectiva.
Esta noche, los concejales también aprobaron una ordenanza que adopta el Presupuesto de Subvenciones en Bloque para el Desarrollo Comunitario (CDBG, por sus siglas en ingles) de la ciudad para el Año Programático 2025-26 y autoriza a la ciudad a presentar sus solicitudes anuales de subvenciones CDBG, HOME Investment Partnership, Subvenciones para Soluciones de Emergencia y Oportunidades de Vivienda para Personas con SIDA al Departamento de Vivienda y Desarrollo Urbano de los Estados Unidos. La asignación total de CDBG es de $5,340,000 para más de una docena de organizaciones locales que prestan servicios a la comunidad de Providence.
“El programa de Subvenciones en Bloque para el Desarrollo Comunitario es un recurso vital invaluable para las organizaciones de primera línea que sirven a las comunidades de nuestra ciudad,” declaró la concejala Mary Kay Harris (Distrito 11), quien, como presidenta del Comité de Reurbanización, Renovación y Planificación Urbana, supervisa el proceso de asignación de CDBG. “Desde programas de cuidado de personas mayores y alfabetización hasta alimentos para vecinos necesitados, los servicios provistos por los beneficiarios de este año enriquecen, moldean e incluso salvan vidas. La semana pasada, asistimos a la inauguración de un nuevo complejo de Salud y Vivienda de 35 unidades de Crossroads Rhode Island, una organización apoyada en parte por CDBG. Cada dólar invertido a través de este programa fortalece nuestras comunidades.”
En la reunión de esta noche se presentaron dos ordenanzas que otorgan a las organizaciones de inquilinos y a los empleados de negocios locales “derecho preferente” para la compra de edificios de apartamentos y negocios, respectivamente, en venta en Providence. La primera ordenanza, presentada por el concejal Justin Roias (Distrito 4), otorgaría a las organizaciones de inquilinos de las propiedades en cuestión la primera oportunidad de comprar sus viviendas de los propietarios de los edificios cuando decidan venderlas, y a las organizaciones sin fines de lucro que cumplan los requisitos la segunda oportunidad de compra antes de que esas propiedades puedan venderse a cualquier otra persona o entidad. Una segunda ordenanza, presentada por el concejal Miguel Sanchez (Distrito 6), otorgaría el mismo derecho a los empleados de pequeños negocios en la ciudad. Ambas ordenanzas fueron remitidas al Comité de Salud, Oportunidad, Prosperidad y Educación.
También esta noche, los concejales aprobaron resoluciones en apoyo a la legislación actualmente pendiente ante la Asamblea General de Rhode Island, incluyendo el Proyecto de Ley de la Cámara de Representantes H6334, presentado por la Representante Rebecca Kislak a petición del Concejo. Este proyecto autorizaría a los municipios a imponer un recargo de $2 en la venta de entradas para locales con capacidad de más de 800 personas. Este pequeño recargo representaría una importante fuente de ingresos para la Ciudad de Providence en un momento de graves dificultades financieras y es solo una de las nuevas fuentes de ingresos propuestas por los concejales para su implementación junto con un presupuesto municipal justo y equilibrado.
Los concejales también presentaron tres ordenanzas relacionadas con la vivienda para estudiantes universitarios en la ciudad. La primera, presentada por la concejala Shelley Peterson (Distrito 14) y el concejal John Goncalves (Distrito 1), crearía una tarifa de impacto estudiantil para los edificios que se alquilan exclusivamente a estudiantes. La segunda, presentada por la concejala Peterson, crearía un proceso de licencia para los proveedores de vivienda estudiantil. La tercera, también presentada por la concejala Peterson, codificaría el “Grupo de Trabajo contra Molestias,” bajo la supervisión del Abogado de la Ciudad. Las tres ordenanzas fueron remitidas a comité.
Puntos destacados adicionales de la reunión:
- Aprobación de una resolución presentada por la concejala Mary Kay Harris (Distrito 11) que establece la designación honoraria de una calle en homenaje a Mattie L. Smith.
- Aprobación de una resolución presentada por el presidente pro tempore Juan M. Pichardo (Distrito 9), aprobada con el apoyo unánime del Comité de Salud, Oportunidad, Prosperidad y Educación, que se opone al desmantelamiento del Departamento de Educación de los Estados Unidos.
- Aprobación de una resolución presentada por el presidente pro tempore Pichardo que apoya una medida legislativa estatal para otorgar reconocimiento estatal limitado a la Tribu Seaconke Wampanoag.
by Council Staff | May 29, 2025 | Althea Graves, Blog, Juan M. Pichardo, Mary Kay Harris, Rachel Miller
As one of the oldest cities in all of New England, Providence holds a rich history that is visible in every corner of the city—from the oldest Baptist church in the country, to the 19th century architecture throughout our iconic neighborhoods. On the fifth floor of City Hall, this history comes to life through the nearly 40,000 cubic feet of records preserved by the Providence City Archives, one of the many distinct entities that falls under the oversight of the City Council.
More than a collection of materials spanning centuries, they are a living memory of our city’s history and people who made it, many of whom have never gotten the recognition they deserve. Throughout her tenure as council president, Rachel Miller has worked closely with City Archivist Caleb Horton to showcase these items in exhibits that honor communities whose stories have historically been relegated to the margins and celebrate their immense contributions to Providence.
The latest installment of this ongoing partnership is coming up in June to commemorate Pride Month. Personal letters, news articles, and more will be on display on the third floor of City Hall to highlight the lives and accomplishments of LGBTQ+ elected officials in Providence. As the most diverse City Council in Providence history—led by Council President Miller, the first openly queer person and second woman to hold the position—it should come as no surprise that celebrating diverse perspectives is a priority.
Under the leadership of Council President Miller, Archives presented the first Pride Month exhibit in June 2023, which explored the experiences of gay Black men in the state over the span of 100 years. Other recent collaborations between Council and Archives demonstrate a shared commitment to understanding our past as we build an inclusive future.
This work and commitment extend to all of the many diverse communities that make our city strong. Led by President Pro Tempore Juan M. Pichardo, the Special Commission on Veterans Affairs has worked with Archives to host re-dedication ceremonies at memorials throughout the city. In recent years, Deputy Majority Leader Mary Kay Harris and Councilwoman Althea Graves have helped develop Black History Month exhibits that invite the public to learn about the everyday life of 20th century African Americans, the history of abolitionism in the area, and the fight for voting rights in Rhode Island.
These programs not only present a more nuanced view of the past that what many of us learned in formal settings — they are carefully crafted to ensure that our city’s diverse residents can see themselves in leaders of the past and feel inspired to push for positive change in the future.
Join us in June for an exhibit and event for Pride Month and stay tuned for other collaborations to come. Learn more about the Providence City Archive through the extensive collection of digitized materials. For any research questions, or to learn how you can share your items from Providence’s past, email the Archives team at archivist@providenceri.gov.
by Council Staff | May 20, 2025 | Add Council Logo, Miguel Sanchez, Rachel Miller
This week, Providence City Council President Rachel Miller picketed with SEIU 1199 NE workers who are currently striking for better wages and working conditions at Butler Hospital. Under the leadership of Council President Miller, this council has demonstrated time again its steadfast commitment to the rights of Providence workers to organize and collectively bargain.
Monday marked the fifth day of demonstrations by striking workers outside Butler, and the third day the council president marched alongside them. Her appearance yesterday followed reports that several workers were fined $500 for noise violations while exercising their right to demonstrate for a fair contract. Today, media reported on a letter sent from hospital management to striking workers that their health coverage will be terminated on May 31. The council president condemns both of these punitive and reactionary measures in the strongest possible terms, and reiterates the council’s firm support for union members to peacefully demonstrate without fear of reprisal.
“These striking workers are fighting back against unfair wages and unsafe conditions, in keeping with the long, proud tradition of organized labor in this country and here in Providence,” said Councilor Miguel Sanchez (Ward 6). “Unfortunately, the bosses have also kept up their own tradition: a tradition of bad faith, suppression, and cowardice. And now, we have learned that management is taking the cruel and unnecessary step of cancelling health insurance for striking employees, an irony for these essential healthcare workers that should enrage us all. I am proud to stand with these workers, and proud to serve on a City Council that recognizes the fundamental right to collectively bargain, struggle, and win.”
Councilors also commend the demonstrating workers for their commitment to making their voices heard in a way that minimizes disruption for the surrounding neighborhood. To this end, organizers have chosen to observe quiet hours before 8:00 AM and avoid the use of bullhorns or other noisemakers during that time. This willingness to respond to appeals from the community sets an example from which hospital management could draw a valuable lesson – meaningful progress is possible when built on a foundation of compassion and mutual respect. But that conversation is only possible when both sides are willing to listen.
“The striking employees at Butler perform demanding work often under extraordinary stress. They deserve a fair contract and have every right to organize toward that goal,” said Councilwoman Helen Anthony (Ward 2), who represents the surrounding area. “I and many of my colleagues on the City Council stand in solidarity with the Butler employees, and we are grateful to both law enforcement and the demonstrators for ensuring that the workers’ essential right to strike is exercised peacefully and with respect for our neighbors.”
Councilors will continue to defend the rights of striking union members and amplify the voices and struggles of organized workers throughout the city. As they say on the picket line, ‘no contract, no peace.’
by Council Staff | May 15, 2025 | Add Council Logo, Jo-Ann Ryan, John Goncalves, Miguel Sanchez, Rachel Miller
At tonight’s meeting, Providence City Council granted final passage of an ordinance which will ban the use of price-fixing rental algorithms in the city. This software, developed and sold by companies like RealPage and used by corporate landlords to drive up rents, risks exacerbating the affordability crisis for Providence renters, already the most-overburdened renters in the country.
“It’s no secret that large, corporate landlords – the kind of that have been gobbling up properties in our city for years – will use every available tool to minimize competition and maximize profits,” said Council President Rachel Miller. “Companies like RealPage enable this price-fixing by using algorithms to do what would be illegal between human beings. It’s a loophole that needs closing and, as a renter myself, I’m proud that Providence is joining the growing list of American cities who have acted on this needed protection.”
Here’s how it works: a handful of large, often out-of-state private firms make bulk purchases of property across the city; as more and more units are concentrated in the hands of fewer and fewer landlords, the ability of these large firms to influence and manipulate the broader housing market becomes greater; as the number of units under their control increases, landlords turn over rent-setting to algorithms that comb through public market and private competitor data to determine how high they can go; then, as more landlords use the same software to set rents, it creates a feedback loop using all of their private data which leads to pricing patterns that drive rents higher and higher.
To make matters worse, we know based on a 2022 ProPublica report that the largest landlords in the country, the folks who have been consolidating properties in Providence and who use software like this, favor markets like Providence where rents are already skyrocketing. The same report found that these rental algorithms will sometimes recommend landlords let units sit vacant in order to create even greater scarcity in the market.
Normally, collusion of this kind would be indisputably illegal, but landlords are exploiting a dangerous loophole—using an algorithm to avoid getting in a room together to fix prices. This is a growing problem in metro areas around the country, which is why last year the U.S. Department of Justice, under then-President Biden, filed suit against RealPage and a group of corporate landlords, arguing that this type of software distorts competition and props up artificially high rents. Among the landlords named in that lawsuit are Cushman & Wakefield and Willow Bridge, both of which own properties in the Providence market.
It’s also why five other major American cities have already banned the use of price-fixing tools like those offered by RealPage. Tonight, Providence becomes the sixth such city to secure this protection for renters. Providence City Council continues to take real, meaningful action on behalf of the 60% of Providence residents who rent – with much more to come.
Tonight, councilors also passed an ordinance adopting the city’s Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Budget for Program Year 2025-26, and authorizing the city to submit its annual CDBG, HOME Investment Partnership, Emergency Solution Grant, and Housing Opportunity for Persons with AIDS grant applications to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The total CDBG allocation is $5,340,000 for more than a dozen local organizations serving the Providence community.
Finally, councilors granted unanimous passage to a resolution introduced by Senior Deputy Majority Leader John Goncalves recognizing May as Jewish Heritage Month. Jewish Heritage Month is celebrated each may to honor and acknowledge the many contributions of Jewish Americans to the culture and history of the United States.
“The Providence City Council is a body of 15 distinct members who represent diverse voices, neighborhoods and opinions,” said Senior Deputy Majority Leader John Goncalves (Ward 1), the measure’s sponsor, who rose to speak in support of the resolution. “In the face of rising antisemitism, I’m proud to have introduced this resolution to say clearly to our Jewish neighbors: you belong here in Providence, we value you and your contributions, and your presence strengthens the very fabric of Providence.”
Additional Meeting Highlights:
- Introduction and passage of a resolution from Council President Rachel Miller that authorizes the City Council to engage one or more groups to conduct a housing assessment informing the best future use of the property located at 99 Kenyon Street, the former Carl G. Lauro building. City Council continues to vet the proposed Excel Academy lease and listen to the voices of affected constituencies. As a part of this, it is necessary to explore all possible uses of the building, including its potential as a site for housing. The Carl G. Lauro building is a fixture in the Federal Hill neighborhood, and a very large property at a time when the cost of land and development is at an all-time high. It is critical that we use it in a way that benefits the working families of Providence, and especially Federal Hill and the West End. Council will continue to vet the proposal in front of it and explore all of the options until they are confident that its future use is in the best interest of the people they serve.
- Passage of a resolution introduced by Majority Whip Miguel Sanchez (Ward 6) urging passage by the General Assembly of H-5473 and S-0329, which would create an additional tax rate of 3% on taxable income for the state’s highest earners beginning in tax year 2026.
- Passage of two resolutions establishing honorary renaming of Providence streets. The first resolution will rename parts of Camp Street to Donald “Danny” Lopes Way, in recognition of the life and legacy of former Providence City Councilman Donald Lopes, Sr. The second resolution will rename Laura Street to “Algonquin Way” in honor of Algonquin House.
- Introduction of an ordinance by Councilwoman Jo-Ann Ryan (Ward 5) which would authorize the creation of a Design Standards Committee to establish design standards for new construction. It was referred to the Committee on Ordinances.
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El Concejo Municipal Prohíbe el Uso de Algoritmos para la Fijación de Alquileres
En la reunión de esta noche, el Concejo Municipal de Providence aprobó por ultima vez una ordenanza que prohibirá el uso de algoritmos de fijación de precios de alquiler en la ciudad. Este software, desarrollado y vendido por empresas como RealPage y utilizado por arrendadores corporativos para aumentar los alquileres, podría empeorar la crisis de viviendas para los inquilinos de Providence, que ya son los más sobrecargados del país.
“No es ningún secreto que los grandes arrendadores corporativos, aquellos que llevan años acumulando propiedades en nuestra ciudad, utilizarán todas las herramientas disponibles para minimizar la competencia y maximizar sus ganancias,” declaró la presidenta del Concejo Rachel Miller. “Empresas como RealPage facilitan esta fijación de precios con el uso de algoritmos para lograr lo que sería ilegal entre personas. Es una escapatoria legal que debe cerrarse y, como inquilina, estoy orgulloso de que Providence se una a la creciente lista de ciudades estadounidenses que han tomado medidas para realizar esta necesaria protección.”
Así es como funciona: unas pocas empresas privadas grandes, a menudo de otros estados, realizan compras masivas de propiedades en toda la ciudad; a medida que más y más unidades se concentran en manos de cada vez menos propietarios, aumenta la capacidad de estas grandes empresas para influir y manipular el mercado inmobiliario; a medida que aumenta el numero de unidades bajo su control, los propietarios entregan la fijación de alquileres a algoritmos que analizan los datos del mercado público y de los competidores privados para determinar el precio máximo que pueden alcanzar; luego, a medida que más propietarios usan el mismo software para fijar los alquileres, se crea un ciclo que utiliza todos sus datos privados, lo que genera patrones de precios que hacen que los alquileres suban cada vez más.
Para colmo, sabemos, según un informe de ProPublica de 2022, que los mayores propietarios del país, quienes han estado consolidando propiedades en Providence y utilizan software como este, prefieren mercados como Providence, donde los alquileres ya se están disparando. El mismo informe descubrió que estos algoritmos de alquiler a veces recomiendan que los propietarios dejen las unidades vacías para crear una escasez aún mayor en el mercado.
Normalmente, este tipo de colusión seria indiscutiblemente ilegal, pero los propietarios están aprovechando una peligrosa escapatoria legal—usando un algoritmo para evitar reunirse en persona y fijar precios. Este es un problema creciente en las ciudades de todo el país, por lo que el año pasado el Departamento de Justicia de EE. UU., bajo la presidencia de Biden, presentó una demanda contra RealPage y un grupo de arrendadores corporativos, argumentando que este tipo de software distorsiona la competencia y eleva artificialmente los alquileres. Entre los arrendadores mencionados en la demanda se encuentran Cushman & Wakefield y Willow Bridge, ambos propietarios de propiedades en el mercado de Providence.
Es también la razón por la que otras cinco grandes ciudades estadounidenses ya han prohibido el uso de herramientas de fijación de precios como las que ofrece RealPage. Esta noche, Providence se convierte en la sexta ciudad en garantizar esta protección para los inquilinos. El Concejo de Providence sigue tomando medidas reales y significativas en nombre del 60 % de los residentes de Providence que alquilan, y hay muchas más por venir.
Esta noche, los concejales también aprobaron una ordenanza que adopta el Presupuesto de Subvenciones en Bloque para el Desarrollo Comunitario (CDBG, por sus siglas en ingles) de la ciudad para el Año Programático 2025-26 y autoriza a la ciudad a presentar sus solicitudes anuales de subvenciones CDBG, HOME Investment Partnership, Subvenciones para Soluciones de Emergencia y Oportunidades de Vivienda para Personas con SIDA al Departamento de Vivienda y Desarrollo Urbano de los Estados Unidos. La asignación total de CDBG es de $5,340,000 para más de una docena de organizaciones locales que prestan servicios a la comunidad de Providence.
Finalmente, los concejales aprobaron por unanimidad una resolución presentada por el Senior Vicelíder de la Mayoría John Goncalves, que reconoce mayo como el Mes de la Herencia Judía. Este mes se celebra cada mes de mayo para honrar y reconocer las numerosas contribuciones de los judíos estadounidenses a la cultura y la historia de Estados Unidos.
“El Concejo de Providence es un cuerpo legislativo de 15 miembros quien representan voces diversas, vecindarios y opiniones diversas,” dijo el Senior Vicelíder de la Mayoría John Goncalves (Distrito 1), el patrocinador de la medida, quien hablo en pleno en apoyo de la resolución. “Ante el creciente antisemitismo, me enorgullece haber presentado esta resolución para decirles claramente a nuestros vecinos judíos: su lugar en Providence es nuestro, los valoramos a ustedes y a sus contribuciones, y su presencia fortalece la esencia misma de Providence.”
Puntos destacados adicionales de la reunión:
- Presentación y aprobación de una resolución de la presidenta del Concejo Rachel Miller que autoriza al Concejo a contratar a uno o más grupos para realizar una evaluación de vivienda que determine el mejor uso futuro de la propiedad ubicada en 99 Kenyon Street, el antiguo edificio Carl G. Lauro. El Concejo continúa examinando el contrato de arrendamiento propuesto para Excel Academy y escuchando las opiniones de los grupos afectados. Como parte de esto, es necesario explorar todos los posibles usos del edificio, incluyendo su potencial como vivienda. El edificio Carl G. Lauro es importante para el vecindario de Federal Hill y una propiedad de gran tamaño en un momento en que el costo del terreno y el desarrollo están en su nivel más alto. Es crucial que lo utilicemos de forma que beneficie a las familias trabajadoras de Providence, y especialmente a Federal Hill y el West End. El Concejo continuará examinando la propuesta que tiene ante sí y explorando todas las opciones hasta que esté seguro de que su uso futuro beneficia a las personas a las que sirve.
- Aprobación de una resolución presenta por el Jefe de la Mayoría miguel sanchez (Distrito 6) instando a la aprobación por parte de la Asamblea General de H-5473 y S-0329, que crearía una tasa impositiva adicional del 3% sobre los ingresos imponibles para las personas con mayores ingresos del estado a partir del año fiscal 2026.
- Aprobación de dos resoluciones que establecen el cambio de nombre honorario de dos calles de Providence. La primera resolución cambiará el nombre de partes de Camp Street a Donald “Danny” Lopes Way, en reconocimiento a la vida y el legado del exconcejal municipal de Providence, Donald Lopes, Sr. La segunda resolución cambiará el nombre de Laura Street a “Algonquin Way” en honor a Algonquin House.
- La concejala Jo-Ann Ryan (Distrito 5) presentó una ordenanza que autorizaría la creación de un Comité de Normas de Diseño para establecer normas de diseño para nuevas construcciones. La ordenanza fue remitida al Comité de Ordenanzas.
