providence city council

City Councilors Call on the State of Rhode Island to Suspend Evictions and Foreclosures and Enact Other Measures Until COVID-19 Crisis is No Longer a Threat

 

City Councilors Call on the State of Rhode Island to Suspend Evictions and Foreclosures and Enact Other Measures
Until COVID-19 Crisis is No Longer a Threat
PROVIDENCE, RI (April 2, 2020)…Tonight Providence City Councilors introduced a resolution calling for the State of Rhode Island to suspend evections and foreclosures and enact a series of other measures to protect Providence residents until the COVID-19 crisis is no longer a threat to our community. The resolution is co-sponsored by Councilors Rachel Miller (Ward 13), Helen Anthony (Ward 2), Pedro Espinal (Ward 10), Nirva LaFortune (Ward 3), Senior Deputy Majority Leader Nicholas J. Narducci Jr. (Ward 4), Carmen Castillo (Ward 9), Council President Pro Tempore Michael Correia (Ward 6), and Deputy Majority Leader Mary Kay Harris (Ward 11).
The novel coronavirus, COVID-19, is a recognized pandemic that has spread globally and threatens the health, well-being, and financial stability of community members in Providence and across the world. Since March 9, 2020 Rhode Island has been in a State of Emergency. With the closing of non-essential businesses, restaurants, bars, and the impact this has had on our robust gig-economy residents need protections to ensure they have the most basic necessities: shelter, food, and health care.
“We have to act now to help keep people in their homes. Importantly, this resolution asks for relief for renters, homeowners, landlords, and small business owners,” stated City Councilor Rachel Miller. “Thousands of Rhode Islanders and many service and restaurant workers in Federal Hill and the West End were suddenly unemployed. People are coming together from all walks of life to help and support one another right now, and attention to the issues of housing and homelessness is vital both now, and when we’re able to move to recovery.”
The City Council, like the State of Rhode Island, is committed to helping to stop the spread of this pandemic within our jurisdiction by encouraging common-sense measures. Practicing social distancing, frequent hand washing, limiting public events, and encouraging community members to stay at home are all simple ways to help stop the spread of the virus. Many community members are essential workers in healthcare, grocery, and the service and construction industries and cannot work from home. Many others have lost their jobs because of COVID-19 related preparedness measures.
Councilwoman Nirva LaFortune stated, “This resolution supports relief for residents and business owners who are trying to keep a roof over their heads during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Many of our renters, homeowners, landlord, and business owners already struggle to make ends meet. For some of our most vulnerable community members, this Pandemic has exacerbated existing financial hardships that make it challenging and sometimes impossible to stay above water. Providing relief that will allow renters, homeowners, landlords, and small business owners to remain in their homes or keep their business is essential. It will assist our city and state in setting a path to economic recovery once this Pandemic is over. “
The resolution put forth tonight calls on the State of Rhode Island to take the following actions:
  1. Suspend evictions due to nonpayment of rent if the inability to pay rent is due to loss-of-income related to reasonable precautions to avoid the spread of COVID-19.
  2.  Suspend foreclosure proceedings for homeowners and landlords if the inability to make timely mortgage payments is related to reasonable precautions to avoid the spread of COVID-19.
  3.  Mandate that Unemployment Insurance and Temporary Disability Insurance be considered acceptable sources of income for all residential rental agreements.
  4.  Mandate that all tax sale proceedings authorized by Rhode Island General Law §44-9 et. seq. be suspended until no earlier than July 15, 2020.
“Now more than ever, the residents of Providence need certainty in these uncertain times,” stated Councilman Pedro Espinal. “Residents should not live in fear of losing their homes, being evicted, or making choices between getting care if they are ill or paying rent. The neighborhoods I represent are home to some of the most economically challenged residents. They depend on their paychecks to make ends meet. Unemployment Insurance is a help, but my neighbors are having to make decisions between paying rent and buying groceries to feed their families. We need to provide them with some sense of assurance that they know that we will not leave them behind during this crisis. Taking these steps will go a long way to doing that.”
The members of the City Council applaud the work and the fortitude that Governor Raimondo has shown during this unprecedented global pandemic. The City Council supports the measures that the Governor and the Director Dr. Alexander-Scott from the Rhode Island Department of Health have put forth to stop the spread of the virus and to keep Rhode Islanders safe. Yet, it is paramount that we ensure that as Rhode Island slowly rebounds from this disaster that the most vulnerable members of our communities are not left behind.
Upon passage, a copy of this resolution will be transmitted to the Honorable Governor of the State of Rhode Island, the Director of the Rhode Island Department of Health, the Director of the Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training, the Field Office Director of the Rhode Island Branch of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, the Honorable Speaker of the Rhode Island House of Representatives, the Honorable President of the Rhode Island Senate, all State Senators and State Representatives whose jurisdiction includes any part of the City of Providence, executive offices of National Grid, and executive offices of Providence Water.
For more information, visit us on the web at council.providenceri.gov.