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Policies that Prioritize Providence Residents
Throughout the month of September, councilors were hard at work in the community, working with committees, and in regularly scheduled council meetings.
September began on a bittersweet note as councilors accepted the resignation of Ward 2 Councilwoman Helen Anthony, who announced over the summer that she would be stepping to down to devote more time to her health. A special primary election will be held on November 4th with the general election following on December 2nd.
Later in the month, the council's Housing Crisis Task Force made news by releasing it's much anticipated 2025 report outlining proposed solutions to the city's worsening affordability and housing crises. In the report, the Task Force calls for urgent and bold legislative action to address the high costs of housing throughout the city.
Also this month, the Committee on Finance elected Councilwoman Jo-Ann Ryan (Ward 5) as committee chair, the post formerly held by Councilwoman Anthony. The committee's decision to elect councilwoman Ryan, herself a former chair, was applauded by Council President Rachel Miller.
Last month, the Providence External Review Authority found that PPD provided “operationally significant” assistance to ICE agents during a July raid on Alverson Avenue. In response to this, and as Providence residents demand stronger protections while the federal government rapidly expands immigration enforcement, councilors researched and prepared changes to city law that would allow greater community accountability from the Providence Police Department. As a result of this research and discussions with community members, councilors have proposed several key changes to the city’s Community-Police Relations Act, to ensure the law functions as intended and that the rights of all Providence residents are protected.
The changes include clearly defining prohibited cooperation by Providence Police with federal immigration authorities, enhancing enforcement and accountability mechanisms, designating specific public buildings as sensitive spaces, prohibiting discrimination based on immigration status, expanding the forms of acceptable identification for police stops, barring Providence from exercising authority under a 287(g) agreement, and more.
Read the full draft of the proposed amendments here, and consider joining us Monday, October 6 at 5:30 PM as the Committee on Ordinances hears public comment and considers recommending the changes to the full city council.
Read below for more detail about these and other recent wins for Providence residents and, as always, follow us on social media to ensure you get the latest updates and information!
Housing Crisis Task Force Report Calls for Urgent Action
The Providence City Council Housing Crisis Task Force (HCTF) approved a report making recommendations for legislative action to address our city’s housing crisis. In the report, the Task Force, chaired by Councilwoman Mary Kay Harris (Ward 11), presents a legislative blueprint for urgently needed housing reforms and recommends a number of specific policy goals to the city council, including rent stabilization, inclusionary zoning, taxing vacant properties, creation of a municipal public developer for social housing, and expansion of the city’s emergency shelter capacity.
The numbers speak for themselves. In January of this year, a Redfin report named Providence the single least affordable city for renters, who make up more than 60% of city residents. In 2024 and 2025, Providence ranked first and second for highest average rent increase in the nation, according to rent.com. Along with a 35% increase in homelessness between 2023 and 2024, more than 24,000 evictions since 2020, and Rhode Island’s position as 50th for new housing permits, the need for urgent and decisive action could not be clearer.
The proposals laid out in the HCTF report represent a natural next step following this council’s efforts over the past two years to provide relief to the city’s overburdened housing market. During this time, under the leadership of City Council President Rachel Miller, the council has waged a relentless campaign against the out-of-state corporate interests who have profited from the outrageously high cost of housing in Providence at the expense of working families. In May of this year, for example, the city council made Providence just the sixth city in the country to ban the use of predatory, price-fixing rental algorithms, and set a limit on the bulk purchase of properties through online tax sales, a favorite tactic of large, out-of-state private equity firms. The recommendations made in the HCTF report will build upon this progress to ensure Providence remains a place where its residents can afford to live and thrive.
Read the full report HERE.
First Passage to Citywide Replacement of Trash Bins
Councilors granted first passage to an ordinance introduced by Councilman James Taylor (Ward 8) that, if granted second and final passage, would approve the financing of $5.5 million to purchase new trash and recycling bins across the city. Replacing bins citywide with new, more modern, and larger receptacles will support public health and safety by reducing overflow and minimizing recycling contamination. The new bins will also save personnel hours and resources currently being spent on repair and replacement of the current, aging bins, saving the city money over the longer term and ensuring smoother curbside pick-up across all 15 wards. The idea for this ordinance was first proposed by the Special Commission on Waste Management chaired by Councilwoman Jo-Ann Ryan (Ward 5).
Ward 2 Council Seat
For our neighbors in Ward 2, we have an updated timeline for the primary election and general election. See below for important dates and helpful links.
Primary Election Timeline
Sunday, October 5: Deadline to register to vote in the primary
Sunday, October 5: Deadline to disaffiliate
Tuesday, October 14: Deadline to submit Mail Ballot Application
October 15 – November 3: Early in person voting at City Hall during business hours
Monday, November 3: Deadline to submit mail ballots
Tuesday, November 4: Primary election. Please confirm your polling place at the RI Secretary of State's voter information portal.
General Election Timeline
November 2: Deadline to register to vote in the general
November 12: Deadline to submit Mail Ballot Application
November 12 – December 1: Early in person voting at City Hall from 8:30am to 4:30pm
December 1: Deadline to submit mail ballots
Tuesday, December 2: General election.
Work With the Providence City Council
The Providence City Council has an opening for communications director—a key member of the council staff's leadership team. This is a great opportunity for someone with experience with media relations, digital communications, policy messaging, event promotion, and staff supervision. The communications director is responsible for managing the Council’s comms strategies across platforms, ensuring effective communication of the Council’s initiatives and policies to the public and stakeholders. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis and can be submitted HERE.
Join the Juvenile Hearing Board
Join the Juvenile Hearing Board for the City of Providence and make a positive impact on youth in our community! The Juvenile Hearing Board is seeking volunteer board members to support juvenile diversion from the criminal justice system and help with resolutions and support services. Applicants must be Providence residents and regularly attend board meetings to review cases. To apply, send resumes to Melly Cruz, Senior Director of Constituent Services: mcruz@providenceri.gov.
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