The Providence City Plan Commission is set to vote on the city's draft comprehensive plan on Tuesday, June 18th. While the plan represents a positive step forward, it does not do enough in response to Providence’s worst-in-the-nation rent increases, which are driving up homelessness and displacement. The current draft does not propose any of the following common-sense strategies to build more housing:

• Reduce lot size requirements: no.
• Legalize duplexes: no.
• Legalize small multifamily buildings (“missing middle”): no.
• Legalize semi-detached single-family homes: no.
• Allow four-story buildings in medium-density neighborhoods: no.
• Proactively address student housing supply: no.
• Legalize more apartments on all high-frequency bus lines: no.

In fact, the plan recommends a new density cap on multifamily housing. Our friends at the Providence Urbanist Network are calling on the Commission to strike this cap and strengthen the housing plan before it goes to City Council. Add your voice!

• Use our action alert template to ask the Commission to improve the housing plan.
• Attend the meeting in person at 444 Westminster Street from 4:45 PM onward. The Commission will take public comment after an initial presentation.
• Participate in the meeting remotely through Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87233568540

Thank you and spread the word.