St. Pete renters host emergency sleep in, demand rent solutions

St. Petersburg is moving forward with plans to potentially place rent control measures on the ballot this November, following a city council vote to draft a resolution. This initiative is driven by the urgent concerns of local renters, many of whom participated in an emergency sleep-in outside city hall to draw attention to their plight. Residents report staggering rent increases of $300 to $500 monthly, prompting fears of displacement from their homes. While some city leaders support the idea, others, like council member Gina Driscoll, express concerns about the legal ramifications, as state law generally prohibits rent control.

Driscoll advocates for exploring alternative solutions that would not expose the city to lawsuits. Renters like Janney Karioki and Karla Correa shared their frustrations about the rising costs, with Karioki noting her rent has doubled in two years. Correa emotionally stated that continued rent hikes could lead to her homelessness, reflecting a broader crisis impacting numerous residents. The city will reconvene on August 11 to further discuss the proposed rent control measures.