Atlantic Mills Tenants Union Call on Legislators to Reject 8 Law Bill at Rhode Island State House Rally
Protestors, including Rhode Island State Representative David Morales, and Members/Leaders of the Atlantic Mills Tenant Union, gathered Saturday on the steps of the Rhode Island State House to continue their efforts to maintain affordable rents for working artists at the Atlantic Mills Complex, Olneyville, Rhode Island, while fighting what many feel are efforts by the State to effectively legislate gentrification.
From: The Atlantic Mills Tenants Union (AMTU)
The Atlantic Mills Tenants Union (AMTU) requests that the House Committee on Municipal Government and Housing remove Subsection B and Subsection D from the proposed amendments to Bill 5688.
In amending Section 44-5-13.11 of RI General Laws “Qualifying low-income housing — Assessment and Taxation” – Subsection B and Subsection D as written, would incentivize the displacement of our community of artists and Latino small businesses at The Atlantic Mills, a cultural incubator and economic hub for lower-income communities in Providence.
It is highly troubling that a law titled “Qualifying low-income housing — Assessment and Taxation” could be amended to include Subsection B, granting dramatic, 30-year tax incentives for market rate and luxury residential development. AMTU strongly opposes these provisions incentivizing the conversion of commercial real estate to residential without protections for existing tenants or meaningful affordability requirements. This law will prioritize the interests of wealthy developers over the stability of long-standing community members and residents. This pro-gentrification bill extends beyond Providence, dismantling communities and putting small businesses and creative spaces across Rhode Island at risk.
This amendment would hand out generous tax breaks to luxury developments while at the same time Mayor Smiley seeks to impose significant increases on residential property taxes to fix city deficits. Corporations should not be prioritized over Providence residents. It is unethical to rationalize a luxury development being taxed at a lesser rate than your local mechanic or coffee shop.
Rhode Island desperately needs affordable housing, not tax breaks for market-rate conversion that accelerate displacement and destroy communities. We call on committee members and legislators to stand in solidarity with the Atlantic Mills Tenants Union to reject Subsection B and Subsection D of house Bill 5688.
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