PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) — As the debate over rent control continues at Providence City Hall, city councilors are now considering a separate proposal from Mayor Brett Smiley.
Last week, Smiley introduced the Rental and Essential Needs Transition (RENT) Fund, which would offer one-time grants of up to $3,000 to Providence households earning 80% or less of the area median income (AMI) who can demonstrate “imminent risk of housing loss.” Priority would be given to those earning at or below 60% AMI.
“There are families that are really struggling,” Smiley said in an interview on Tuesday. “We know that they could be one medical emergency, one skipped paycheck, one unexpected car expense away from either eviction or falling behind on their mortgage, or maybe not paying their utility bill.”…