by Council Staff | Apr 3, 2025 | Add Council Logo, Housing, Uncategorized
At tonight’s Providence City Council meeting, councilors voted for the second and final time on an ordinance providing additional protections for our city’s unhoused community. Following the far-right U.S. Supreme Court’s 2024 decision in City of Grants Pass v. Johnson, which Council previously condemned via resolution, municipalities are now able to impose fines on people who sleep or camp on public property. Tonight’s ordinance, introduced by Majority Whip Miguel Sanchez (Ward 6), prohibits the City of Providence from imposing such fines and urges compassionate solutions to our city’s homelessness crisis.
“Our city’s unhoused community members are fighting for their lives. We should be doing everything we can to keep them safe, to get them housed, and to do it with dignity,” said Majority Whip Sanchez. “But when we fail to do that – we absolutely cannot then fine them money they don’t have as punishment for our own inaction. This ordinance commits the city to the bare minimum of basic compassion over misguided cruelty.”
Also at tonight’s meeting, Council President Rachel Miller (Ward 13) introduced a resolution, co-sponsored by Deputy Majority Whip Sue AnderBois (Ward 3), which would endorse and urge passage of Rhode Island Senate Bill 2025 S-0492 and its House counterpart 2025 H-5375, allowing municipalities to enact ordinances permitting renters to request no-cost lead service line replacements. This measure ensures that renters, who make up 60% of Providence residents, are able to benefit from a program administered by Providence Water that replaces lead pipes free of charge to residents. The resolution was passed on the floor.
Council also approved a resolution introduced by Council President Miller and President Pro Tempore Juan M. Pichardo (Ward 9) to support passage of Rhode Island House Bill 2025 H-5836, which would require Rhode Island high schools to implement mandatory “Ethnic Studies” curriculum examining the experiences of racialized communities in Rhode Island and the United States. Among other provisions, the bill would create a year-long Ethnic Studies course and make it a requirement for graduation. Council President Pro Tempore Juan M. Pichardo spoke on the floor in favor of the resolution, which was also passed on the floor.
Additional Highlights
- Council President Pro Tempore Juan M. Pichardo and Deputy Majority Leader Mary Kay Harris (Ward 11) introduced an ordinance that outlines preliminary Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding placements. Nonprofit organizations and community centers who serve Providence’s diverse constituents will benefit from the $5 million of federal funding. The budget was referred to the Committee on Urban Redevelopment, Renewal, & Planning.
- Council voted for the first time on an ordinance introduced by Council President Miller which would allow the Providence Municipal Court to directly manage appeals of fines and fees relating to building and home alarms, which are currently handled by the Rhode Island District Court.
El Concejo Aprueba una Ordenanza para Proteger a Nuestros Vecinos sin Hogar
En la reunión del Concejo de Providence de esta noche, los concejales votaron por segunda y última vez sobre una ordenanza que otorga protecciones adicionales a la comunidad sin hogar de nuestra ciudad. Tras la decisión de la Corte Suprema de los Estados Unidos de extrema derecha de 2024 en el caso City of Grants Pass v. Johnson, que el Concejo condeno previamente a través de una resolución, los municipios ahora pueden imponer multas a quienes duerman o acampen en propiedad pública. La ordenanza que fue aprobada de esta noche, presentada por el jefe de la mayoría Miguel Sánchez (Distrito 6), prohíbe a la Ciudad de Providence imponer dichas multas e insta soluciones compasivas a la crisis de personas sin hogar en nuestra ciudad.
“Las personas sin hogar en nuestra ciudad están luchando por sus vidas. Deberíamos hacer todo lo posible para mantenerlas seguras, conseguirles un hogar, y hacerlo con dignidad,” dijo el jefe de la mayoría Sanchez. “Pero cuando no lo hacemos, no podemos imponerles multas que no pueden pagar como castigo por nuestra inacción. Esta ordenanza compromete a la ciudad a un mínimo de compasión básica en vez de la crueldad injustificada.”
También en la reunión de esta noche, la presidenta del Concejo Rachel Miller (Distrito 13) presentó una resolución, copatrocinada por la vicejefa de la mayoria Sue AnderBois (Distrito 3), que respaldaría e instaría a la aprobación del Proyecto de Ley del Senado de Rhode Island 2025 S-0492 y su contraparte en la Cámara de Representantes 2025 H-5375. Estos proyectos permiten a los municipios establecer ordenanzas que permitan a los inquilinos solicitar el reemplazo gratuito de las líneas de servicio de plomo. Esta medida garantiza que los inquilinos, que representan el 60% de los residentes de Providence, puedan beneficiarse de un programa administrado por Providence Water que reemplaza las líneas de plomo sin costo. La resolución fue aprobada en el pleno.
El Concejo aprobó una resolución presentada por la presidenta del Concejo Miller y el presidente pro tempore Juan M. Pichardo (Distrito 9), para apoyar la aprobación de 2025 H-5836, un proyecto de ley que exigiría que las escuelas secundarias de Rhode Island implementaran un currículo obligatorio de “Estudios Étnicos” que estudie las experiencias de las comunidades racializadas en Rhode Island y Estados Unidos. Entre otros requisitos, el proyecto de ley crearía un curso anual de Estudios Étnicos y lo convertiría en un requisito para graduarse. El presidente pro tempore del Concejo Juan M. Pichardo, habló en el pleno a favor de la resolución, que también fue aprobada en el pleno.
Aspectos Destacados Adicionales
- El presidente pro tempore del Concejo Juan M. Pichardo y la diputada líder de la mayoría Mary Kay Harris (Distrito 11) presentaron una ordenanza que describe la asignación preliminar de fondos de la Subvención en Bloque para el Desarrollo Comunitario (CDBG, por sus siglas en ingles). Las organizaciones sin fines de lucro y los centros comunitarios que sirven a la diversa población de Providence se beneficiarán de los $5 millones de fondos federales. El presupuesto se remitió al Comité de Reurbanización, Renovación y Planificación Urbana.
- El Concejo votó por primera vez sobre una ordenanza presentada por la presidenta del Concejo Miller, que permitiría al Tribunal Municipal de Providence gestionar directamente las apelaciones de multas y tarifas relacionadas con alarmas de edificios y viviendas, que actualmente son manejadas por el Tribunal de Distrito de Rhode Island.
by Council Staff | Mar 20, 2025 | Add Council Logo, Housing, Uncategorized
Thursday, March 20, 2025
Council President Rachel Miller Introduces Prohibitions on Rent-Setting Algorithms, Online Tax Sales
At tonight’s Providence City Council meeting, Council President Rachel Miller introduced two ordinances to address the manipulation of the housing market by bad actors. The first such ordinance would ban the use of price-fixing rental algorithms by large, corporate landlords. The second ordinance would ban online tax sales, making it harder for out-of-state private interests to mass purchase the city’s housing stock.
“Tonight, we introduced two items that protect Providence residents from unscrupulous business practices that artificially increase cost,” said Council President Rachel Miller. “We’ve seen nationwide that algorithms are overriding the market and inflating rent. During COVID, when online tax sales started, we saw investment companies come in and buy property. We are building a Providence for every resident to thrive – which means not being taken advantage of by wealthy corporations and out-of-state private equity.”
Other highlights from tonight’s meeting include an amended resolution in support of pending state legislation to temporarily raise the 4% levy increase cap, an ordinance protecting the city’s unhoused residents from inhumane fines, and final passage of the initial zoning changes called for in the city’s 2024 Comprehensive Plan.
Limiting Bad Actors in the Housing Market
Redfin reported in January that Providence is the least affordable metro in the country for renters and is becoming less so by the day, with the nation’s largest year-over-year increase in average rents. In an alarming trend seen across the country, corporate landlords are using rent-setting software to worsen the housing crisis and exploit renters. Rent-setting software uses rental algorithms that draw on data from local housing markets to automatically set rents at the highest possible level.
Last year, the U.S. Department of Justice under President Biden – in partnership with eight state Attorneys General – filed a civil antitrust lawsuit against RealPage, a major corporation that provides this service. Tonight, Council President Miller introduced an ordinance which would ban these rent-setting algorithms, ensuring that Providence renters are protected from predatory price-fixing at a time when 48% of renters are already cost-burdened by housing.
A second ordinance introduced by Council President Miller would ban online tax sales. A tax sale is a public proceeding in which a residential or commercial property is auctioned off by the city as the result of delinquent debt, such as for unpaid property taxes. Tax sales have historically been a tool used by private equity to dispossess working class communities.
The city began permitting these sales to take place online as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic, but over the last several years this has created a new and dangerous avenue for the mass acquisition of land and homes in Providence by corporate landlords, out-of-state developers, and multinational private equity firms. This ordinance would ban such sales from being conducted online, encouraging the purchase of auctioned properties by local property owners.
Both ordinances were referred to the Special Committee on Health, Opportunity, Prosperity, and Education (HOPE).
Guardrails for the Levy Cap Increase
Councilors approved a resolution returning from the Committee on Finance in support of state legislation to raise the levy cap by up to an additional 4% for the upcoming fiscal year, as an additional tool if necessary to deliver a balanced budget. City Council and the mayor’s administration will work in collaboration with the General Assembly to search for creative ways to generate new, non-residential property tax revenue while avoiding painful cuts to essential city services.
“It’s important to be clear that giving the City of Providence this extra flexibility doesn’t necessarily mean any taxes will be raised up to that maximum. It just means we have that option as a last resort,” said Finance Chair Helen Anthony following last week’s committee meeting. “At the end of the day, it’s the administration’s job to propose a budget and Council’s job to vet that proposal and either approve or vote it down. We are all committed to ensuring that no one group of residents, no one area of city services is asked to carry this load alone.”
Ahead of the Finance Committee meeting, Council President Rachel Miller released the following statement:
“The financial challenges ahead of us are serious and will require some difficult decisions. But we cannot ask homeowners, working families, and those already struggling to make ends meet to bear this burden alone. Raising the levy above the 4% cap needs to be a last resort.
“As city leaders, we have a responsibility to protect essential services, meet our school funding obligation, and make decisions that support working families. Providence urgently needs new, sustainable sources of revenue that do not overwhelmingly rely on regressive property taxes. That is why we are working closely with the administration and members of the General Assembly to identify alternative revenue streams – solutions that strengthen city finances and support residents. I’m confident that this partnership will lead to creative and balanced solutions that address these challenges.”
Protections for Unhoused Community Members
The far-right Supreme Court’s decision in City of Grants Pass v. Johnson allows for municipalities to impose fines on people who sleep or camp on public property. Councilors granted first passage of an ordinance introduced by Majority Whip Miguel Sanchez (Ward 6) that prohibits Providence from doing to, protecting the rights and dignity of our unhoused residents. This ordinance, vetted in the Special Committee on Health, Opportunity, Prosperity, and Education (HOPE), prioritizes compassionate, effective solutions to the homelessness crisis. It will require a second passage to become law.
Zoning Ordinance
Councilors granted final passage to the initial zoning changes made in accordance with the 2024 Comprehensive Plan. These amendments officially update the city’s overlay zoning and base maps. During the next phase of the zoning ordinance amendment process, City Council will focus on the more complex items discussed in the Comprehensive Plan such as reduced or eliminated parking minimums, environmental protections at the Port of Providence, and inclusionary zoning protections at the Port of Providence, and inclusionary zoning.
Additional Highlights
- Council approved a resolution introduced by Council President Miller supporting the unionization efforts at Paul Cuffee Upper and Lower Schools. Educators at both schools voted late last year to join the Rhode Island Federation of Teachers and Health Professionals. At the March 6 meeting, Councilors approved a resolution, also introduced by the Council President, in solidarity with unionization efforts at Highlander Charter Elementary School.
- Council approved a resolution endorsing the PVD Tree Plan and its recommendations. The plan lays out steps to achieve a healthy, equitable, and resilient urban forest in the City of Providence.
- Council approved a resolution returning from the Committee on Finance in support of state legislation granting Tax Exempt status to the Project Weber/RENEW Overdose Prevention Center.
jueves, 20 de marzo de 2025
La Presidenta del Concejo Rachel Miller Presenta Prohibiciones a los Algoritmos de Fijación de Alquileres y a las Ventas de Impuestos en Línea
En la reunión del Concejo Municipal de Providence de esta noche, la presidenta del Concejo Rachel Miller presentó dos ordenanzas para abordar la manipulación del mercado inmobiliario por parte de corporaciones depredadores. La primera ordenanza prohibiría el uso de algoritmos de fijación de precios de alquiler por parte de grandes arrendadores corporativos. La segunda ordenanza prohibiría las ventas de impuestos en línea, lo que dificultaría la compra masiva de viviendas por parte de negocios de otros estados.
“Esta noche, presentamos dos medidas que protegen a los residentes de Providence de prácticas comerciales inescrupulosas que aumentan artificialmente los costos,” dijo la presidenta del Concejo Rachel Miller. “Hemos visto en todo el país que los algoritmos están dominando el mercado e inflando los alquileres. Durante la pandemia de COVID, cuando comenzaron las ventas de impuestos en línea, vimos a compañías de inversión entrar y comprar propiedades. Estamos construyendo un Providence para que cada residente prospere – lo que significa evitar que se aprovechen de nosotros las corporaciones adineradas y el capital privado de otros estados.”
Otros aspectos destacados de la reunión de esta noche incluyen una resolución enmendada en apoyo a la legislación estatal pendiente para aumentar temporalmente el límite del aumento del impuesto del 4%, una ordenanza que protege a los residentes sin hogar de multas inhumanas y la aprobación final de los cambios de zonificación iniciales solicitados en el Plan Comprehensivo de 2024 de la ciudad.
Limitando a las Corporaciones Depredadoras en el Mercado Inmobiliario
Un informe de enero de Redfin indica que Providence es la zona metropolitana menos asequible del país para los inquilinos y se está volviendo menos económico, con el mayor aumento interanual del país. En una tendencia alarmante que se observa en todo el país, los arrendadores corporativos están utilizando software de fijación de alquileres para empeorar la crisis de la vivienda y explotar a los inquilinos. Este software utiliza algoritmos de alquiler que se basan en datos de los mercados inmobiliarios locales para fijar automáticamente los alquileres al nivel más alto posible.
El año pasado, el Departamento de Justicia de EE. UU., bajo el presidente Biden – en colaboración con ocho fiscales generales estatales – presentó una demanda civil antimonopolio contra RealPage, una importante corporación que presta este servicio. Esta noche, la presidente del Concejo Miller presentó una ordenanza que prohibiría estos algoritmos de fijación de alquileres, garantizando que los inquilinos de Providence estén protegidos de la fijación abusiva de precios en un momento en que el 48% de los inquilinos ya están agobiados por los costos de vivienda.
Una segunda ordenanza, presentada por la presidenta del Concejo Miller prohibiría las ventas de impuestos en línea. Una venta de impuestos es un procedimiento público en el que la ciudad subasta una propiedad residencial o comercial como resultado de una deuda morosa, como impuestos propietarios impagos. Históricamente, las ventas de impuestos han sido una herramienta utilizada por las empresas de capital privado para desposeer a las comunidades trabajadoras.
La ciudad comenzó a permitir estas ventas en línea como respuesta a la pandemia de COVID-19, pero en los últimos años esto ha creado una nueva y peligrosa vía para la adquisición masiva de terrenos y viviendas en Providence por parte de propietarios corporativos, desarrolladores de otros estados y compañías multinacionales de capital privado. Esta ordenanza prohibiría que dichas ventas se realicen en línea, fomentando la compra de propiedades subastadas por parte de propietarios locales.
Ambas ordenanzas fueron remitidas al Comité Especial de Salud, Oportunidad, Prosperidad y Educación (HOPE).
Medidas de Seguridad para el Aumento del Límite Impositivo
Los concejales aprobaron una resolución del Comité de Finanzas que respalda la legislación estatal para aumentar el límite impositivo hasta un 4% adicional para el próximo año fiscal, como una herramienta adicional, si es necesario, para lograr un presupuesto equilibrado. El Concejo y la administración del alcalde trabajarán en colaboración con la Asamblea General para buscar formas creativas de generar nuevos ingresos que no dependen de impuestos a la propiedad residencial, evitando al mismo tiempo recortes drásticos a los servicios esenciales de la ciudad.
“Es importante aclarar que otorgarle a la Ciudad de Providence esta flexibilidad adicional no significa necesariamente que se aumenten los impuestos hasta ese máximo. Simplemente significa que tenemos esa opción como último recurso”, declaró la presidenta del Comité de Finanzas Helen Anthony después de la reunión del comité de la semana pasada. “Al final del día, es responsabilidad de la administración proponer un presupuesto y del Concejo examinar esa propuesta y aprobarla o rechazarla. Todos estamos comprometidos a garantizar que ningún grupo de residentes ni ninguna área de servicios de la ciudad tenga que asumir esta carga en solitario.”
Antes de la reunión del Comité de Finanzas, la presidenta del Concejo Rachel Miller publicó la siguiente declaración:
“Los desafíos financieros que nos aguardan son serios y requerirán decisiones difíciles. Pero no podemos pedirles a los propietarios de viviendas, a las familias trabajadoras y a quienes ya tienen dificultades económicas que soporten esta carga solos. Aumentar los impuestos por encima del límite del 4% debe ser el último recurso.
“Como líderes de la ciudad, tenemos la responsabilidad de proteger los servicios esenciales, cumplir con nuestra obligación de financiación escolar y tomar decisiones que apoyen a las familias trabajadoras. Providence necesita urgentemente nuevas fuentes de ingresos sostenibles que no dependan en su gran mayoría de impuestos regresivos sobre la propiedad. Por eso, estamos trabajando estrechamente con la administración y los miembros de la Asamblea General para identificar fuentes de ingresos alternativas: soluciones que fortalezcan las finanzas de la ciudad y apoyen a los residentes. Confío en que esta colaboración dará lugar a soluciones creativas y equilibradas que aborden estos desafíos.”
Protecciones para los Miembros de la Comunidad sin Hogar
La decisión de la Corte Suprema de extrema derecha en el caso City of Grants Pass v. Johnson permite a los municipios imponer multas a las personas que duermen o acampan en propiedad pública. Los concejales aprobaron por primera vez una ordenanza presentada por el jefe de la mayoría Miguel Sanchez (Distrito 6), que prohíbe a Providence hacer lo mismo, protegiendo así los derechos y la dignidad de nuestros residentes sin hogar. Esta ordenanza, evaluada por el Comité Especial de Salud, Oportunidad, Prosperidad y Educación (HOPE, por sus siglas en ingles), prioriza soluciones compasivas y efectivas para la crisis de personas sin hogar. Requerirá una segunda aprobación para convertirse en ley.
Ordenanza de Zonificación
Los concejales dieron aprobación final a los cambios iniciales de zonificación realizados de acuerdo con el Plan Comprehensivo de 2024. Estas enmiendas actualizan oficialmente la zonificación superpuesta y los mapas base de la ciudad. Durante la siguiente fase del proceso de enmienda de la ordenanza de zonificación, el Concejo Municipal se centrará en los temas más complejos discutidos en el Plan Comprehensivo, como los mínimos de estacionamiento reducidos o eliminados, las protecciones ambientales en el Puerto de Providence y la zonificación inclusiva.
Aspectos Destacados Adicionales de la Reunión
- El Concejo aprobó una resolución presentada por la presidenta del Concejo Miller en apoyo a los esfuerzos de sindicalización en las escuelas Paul Cuffee Upper y Lower. Los educadores de ambas escuelas votaron a finales del año pasado a favor de unirse a la Federación de Maestros y Profesionales de la Salud de Rhode Island. En la reunión del 6 de marzo, los concejales aprobaron una resolución, también presentada por la presidenta del Concejo, en solidaridad con los esfuerzos de sindicalización en la Escuela Primaria Charter Highlander.
- El Concejo aprobó una resolución que respalda al PVD Tree Plan y sus recomendaciones. El plan establece los pasos para lograr un bosque urbano saludable, equitativo y resiliente en la Ciudad de Providence.
- El Concejo aprobó una resolución del Comité de Finanzas en apoyo a la legislación estatal que otorga la exención de impuestos al Centro de Prevención de Sobredosis de Project Weber/RENEW.
by Council Staff | Mar 14, 2025 | Add Council Logo, Uncategorized
Friday, March 14, 2025
At last night’s Committee on Finance meeting, Providence City Councilors amended a resolution introduced by Councilwoman Jo-Ann Ryan in support of state legislation which would allow the City of Providence to go above the state-mandated levy cap by up to an additional 4% for the upcoming fiscal year.
The newly amended resolution urges caution and creativity as the mayor’s administration and Council work to generate new non-residential property tax revenue and balance the budget without disproportionately burdening the city’s working families.
“It’s important to be clear that giving the City of Providence this extra flexibility doesn’t necessarily mean any taxes will be raised up to that maximum. It just means we have that option as a last resort,” said Finance Committee Chair and Ward 2 Councilwoman Helen Anthony. “At the end of the day, it’s the administration’s job to propose a budget and Council’s job to vet that proposal and either approve or vote it down. We are all committed to ensuring that no one group of residents, no one area of city services is asked to carry this load alone.”
If passed, this resolution will serve as a formal request for the General Assembly to consider granting the city the option of a one-year exemption from the current levy cap, allowing for an increase over last year’s levy by up to 8%. The city will then decide as part of its annual budget process whether exercising that option is necessary to balance the Fiscal Year 2026 city budget. City Councilors view raising residential property taxes as a last resort, and are focused on working with the Rhode Island General Assembly to identify and pass enabling legislation to allow for new, sustainable sources of revenue.
“The city is faced with significant financial headwinds. This resolution and the state legislation it supports will give us one more tool in our tool belt, should we need it, while we work collaboratively to deliver a balanced budget that reduces the negative impact on our residents,” said Councilwoman Jo-Ann Ryan, the resolution’s sponsor. “We are committed to doing the hard work to find a balanced approach to closing the anticipated gap, and to do that we need every option on the table.”
The resolution was advanced as amended out of committee and will be voted on at next Thursday’s regularly scheduled meeting of the full City Council.
by Council Staff | Mar 13, 2025 | Add Council Logo, Uncategorized
Following a multi-year dispute over how to fund the Providence Public Schools while they are under state control, the City of Providence now faces a significant budget gap. In November 2024, the city signed a settlement agreement with the Rhode Island Department of Education that compels a $15 million payment from the city for Fiscal Years 2024 and 2025. The settlement also requires the city to meet a baseline school funding obligation of $147 million in Fiscal Year 2026, which begins on July 1, 2025.
City leaders must now determine how best to generate additional revenue to meet this increased obligation while avoiding painful cuts to necessary city services.
Today, the City Council Committee on Finance will consider amendments to the resolution, introduced by Councilwoman Jo-Ann Ryan (Ward 5), in support of state legislation which calls for collaboration and would allow the City of Providence to increase the state-mandated levy cap by up to 4% for the upcoming fiscal year, as an additional tool if necessary to deliver a balanced budget.
The resolution also calls on the Rhode Island General Assembly to work with the city to identify and pass enabling legislation necessary to allow for new revenue sources.
Ahead of tonight’s meeting, Council President Rachel Miller released the following statement:
“The financial challenges ahead of us are serious and will require some difficult decisions. But we cannot ask homeowners, working families, and those already struggling to make ends meet to bear this burden alone. Raising the levy above the 4% cap needs to be a last resort.
“As city leaders, we have a responsibility to protect essential services, meet our school funding obligation, and make decisions that support working families. Providence urgently needs new, sustainable sources of revenue that do not overwhelmingly rely on regressive property taxes. That is why we are working closely with the administration and members of the General Assembly to identify alternative revenue streams – solutions that strengthen city finances and support residents. I’m confident that this partnership will lead to creative and balanced solutions that address these challenges.”
by Council Staff | Jan 22, 2025 | Add Council Logo, Housing, Uncategorized
Today, the Providence Preservation Society (PPS) released their 2025 Most Endangered Places List, with a specific focus on the neighborhoods abutting Providence College: Elmhurst, Smith Hill, and Wanskuck. PPS research found that 260 parcels of land around the campus are owned by just nine landlords and developers.
In response, Providence City Councilwoman Shelley Peterson (Ward 14) released the following statement, expressing deep concern about the rapid gentrification of the area and the rise of real estate monopolies:
“The trends outlined in PPS’s report are alarming, but sadly, not surprising. It is unacceptable for a small handful of predatory investors to control entire streets in our city. While Ward 14 families struggle to keep up with skyrocketing rents, consolidated real estate ownership allows student housing landlords to raise prices on a whim. These exploitative buying practices have forced too many people out of the neighborhoods they were raised in, and quality of life has eroded for those that remain. I am grateful for PPS’s important work highlighting this issue. As we try to strike a balance between the needs of our transient student population and the working-class families who have lived in this community for generations, I’m committed to policy that puts people over profit. The interests of a few should never outweigh the needs of our neighbors.”
Councilwoman Peterson has prioritized student housing challenges in Ward 14 throughout her term. Early last year, she established the Student Housing Task Force after hearing quality of life concerns from her constituents residing near Providence College. The Task Force meets regularly, bringing together local community representatives and residents to discuss concerns and build policy around student housing. The next Student Housing Task Force meeting will be held on Saturday, February 15.
In addition, the Councilwoman successfully pushed for the inclusion of student housing language in the 2024 Comprehensive Plan, opening avenues for tighter regulation. In November 2024, an ordinance introduced by the Councilwoman was passed that requires multi-unit dwelling owners appoint local property managers, a law that will go into effect in March of this year. Councilwoman Peterson also serves as Vice-Chair of the Council’s Special Committee on Health, Opportunity, Prosperity, and Education and as a member of the Housing Crisis Task Force.
The housing crisis impacts every neighborhood of Providence, and residents across the city have voiced concern about rising rents, predatory practices, and risks of displacement. Providence City Council remains committed to pursuing bold, community-driven policy to address these urgent challenges.
