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Providence ordinance committee hears divided public testimony on $300 student impact fee for off‑campus housing
Summary
Providence’s ordinance committee heard several hours of testimony on a proposal to assess a $300 annual fee on properties used exclusively for student housing; supporters said it holds investor landlords accountable and funds a home‑repair program, while opponents warned it functions as a tax, will be passed to students and could hurt small landlords and local businesses. No vote was taken.
Providence — The Providence City Ordinance Committee on Nov. 13 held a public hearing on a proposed ordinance that would add a $300 annual student impact fee to properties that are exclusively occupied by students and require colleges to supply enrollment data. Committee members took testimony from neighborhood residents, landlords, student tenants and business representatives but did not vote.
Councilwoman Peterson, who introduced the measure as sponsor, said the fee is intended for property owners of exclusive student housing, not students, and proposed dedicating revenue to the city’s new home‑repair fund to help low‑income homeowners. “Let me be clear. This fee applies to the landlord, not the students. It’s $300 a year,” Peterson said, adding the ordinance would include data‑collection from colleges and a noncompliance penalty the DIS director could enforce of up to $500 per day.
The proposal drew sharply contrasting testimony. Supporters from College Hill and other neighborhoods described repeated nuisance and public‑safety…
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