Activists have come out against a 16 million dollar increase in the City of St. Petersburg budget for police and public safety while other community needs have not been prioritized. Over a dozen affordable housing advocates rallied in St. Petersburg on Saturday.
The St. Petersburg City Council withdrew a resolution to put a rent stabilization proposal on the ballot in November. Council members also failed to pass a motion to reconsider the measure next year.
Council members voted to draft a resolution declaring a "housing emergency" in the city, the first step toward putting the issue of rent control to voters.