“This ordinance needs to pass, we need to pass a statewide bill banning discrimination of housing based on source of income and more importantly we need to work fast to fix the lack of affordable housing problem across the State.”

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On Monday night I attended the Providence City Council Ordinance Committee meeting regarding  an ordinance introduced that would make it illegal to discriminate housing based on source of income.

I applaud Ward 13 City Councilor Rachel Miller for introducing this very important law. I was very disappointed about the results of the meeting though which did not recommend the ordinance go to the City Council for a full vote.

For far to long landlords in Providence and across this state have had the ability to turn down people from living in rental properties simply because they pay with a Section 8 voucher or other sources of income (Veteran’s benefits, spousal support and more). We must also name clearly that those impacted are too often, Black, brown, and LGBTQ+ people. The systems in place are inherently racist and oppressive to the very communities have faced discrimination in other areas (education, jobs, healthcare and more).

This means that our community members who are struggling the most are once again being put down by a broken system. It means that our community members who struggle to put food on the table have to call 10 or more landlords before they can find a place to live that accepts their form of payment for rent. Many people already wait months, even years before receiving a voucher, based on the stories I heard that night. This is an absolute slap in the face to our Rhode Islanders who are struggling and it needs to end now. If our neighboring states, Connecticut and Massachusetts, can end housing discrimination then we have no excuse to not follow suit.

This ordinance needs to pass, we need to pass a statewide bill banning discrimination of housing based on source of income and more importantly we need to work fast to fix the lack of affordable housing problem across the State.

From the time I announced my campaign for State Senate I have made affordable housing a top priority. When I am elected to represent Senate District 6 I will fight for all families and the communities they live in, whether it’s my district or across the State.

In order for our State to do big things and move forward we need to make sure that EVERYONE has a roof over their heads.

From day one of being sworn into office I will do whatever it takes to make sure we pass real affordable housing policies in this State and make sure that ordinances like the one attempted to be passed last night are a thing of the past because broken laws discriminating against ANYTHING is a thing of the past!