St. Petersburg Tenants Union Will Keep Pushing For Rent Control After City Shuts Idea Down

ST. PETERSBURG, FL — A St. Petersburg committee unanimously voted not to declare emergency housing at Thursday's city council meeting after months of many residents and groups advocating for rent control.

Tampa Bay has seen rent increase by an average of 24.8 percent since July, according to Florida Phoenix.

The St. Pete Housing, Land Use and Transportation Committee, which includes some city council members, is concerned with potential lawsuits from declaring a housing emergency. The legal challenges brought forth by landlords could cost the city lawsuit fees, some committee members said at Thursday's meeting.

Allowing rent control would be too risky under Florida state law, according to city attorneys at Thursday's meeting. Rent control is illegal in Florida, according to a state statute. It is only allowed if a housing emergency is declared.

The committee voted 3-1 against advancing a “statement of belief” to the entire city council the city has a housing emergency, the Tampa Bay Times reported.

The St. Petersburg Tenants Union, a group that continues to put pressure on local politics to allow rent control said, "St. Pete City Council HLUT committee has refused to declare a state of emergency for housing while people in our city are being displaced," in a tweet. "Brandi Gabbard, Gina Driscoll, and Ed Montanari prioritize profit over human lives. We must intensify the struggle. Rent control now."

Another concern the committee has is developers would not consider affordable housing buildings by having rent control in the city. Mayor Ken Welch has said in recent news releases that affordable housing is a priority. A $93,000,000 redevelopment project for affordable housing, Jordan Park Apartments, kicked off at the end of January.

"We have a crisis, and I hear that, but implementing something on those who are the good players in this arena to me is very incredibly challenging," Council member and licensed real estate broker, Brandi Gabbard, said.

Gabbard said the city should use the $45 million allocated to the city from the American Rescue Plan Act, and consider rezoning instead of focusing on stabilizing rent.

In response to Thursday's decision from the committee, the St. Petersburg Tenants Union said it will have a mass demonstration for rent control and guaranteed housing outside city hall Feb. 17 at 5 p.m.