Providence City Council passes rent control ordinance

PROVIDENCE, R.I. — The Providence City Council is moving forward with a controversial rent control ordinance that would limit how much landlords can increase rent, setting up a likely clash with Mayor Brett Smiley, who has said he plans to veto the measure.

The proposal would cap annual rent increases at 4% for certain properties across the city as part of an effort to address rising housing costs.

Council members have already approved the ordinance on an initial vote and are expected to pass it again, which would send it to the mayor’s desk for final consideration.

Supporters say the measure is intended to provide stability for renters in one of the least affordable housing markets in the country, where many residents are struggling to keep up with rising rent prices.

The ordinance includes several exemptions, such as for newly constructed housing and certain small owner-occupied properties, in an effort to balance tenant protections with incentives for development.

If enacted, the policy would also create a rent board to oversee enforcement, handle disputes and allow for exceptions in certain cases.

Mayor Smiley has opposed the ordinance, arguing that limiting rent increases could worsen the city’s housing shortage and discourage new development.

If the mayor vetoes the measure, the City Council would need a two-thirds majority vote to override it and enact the ordinance into law.

The debate over rent control in Providence reflects a broader national conversation over how to address housing affordability while maintaining housing supply.