PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — The Providence City Council will meet today for the final passage of its comprehensive plan, a critical document that will guide the city’s development for the next decade. The plan focuses on housing, environmental policy, and economic development. The comprehensive plan identifies ways to assess storm water and flood protection infrastructure, especially in areas that are flood-prone, This creates more greenspaces to absorb floodwaters while increasing recreational areas. The council’s focus on housing solutions are key to addressing the housing crisis where a Rhode Islander would need to work 78 hours a week at minimum wage to afford a one-bedroom apartment. It also lays out plans to develop more affordable housing, and allowing accessory dwelling units in residential zones — which would allow more homeowners to rent out units to residents. Along with adopting the comprehensive plan, the city council is also introducing an ordinance regarding camping on public property. The ordinance states that the Supreme Court decision on “City of Grants Pass versus Johnson,” ruled that enforcing laws against camping on public property at the local level does not qualify as cruel and unusual punishment. Municipalities around the country, including Cranston and Fall River in Massachusetts, have already passed homeless encampment bans. The city council ordinance states that councilors are committed to rejecting punitive measures, including fines, against houseless members of the community. According to this year’s point in time count, homelessness has increased by nearly 35% in the past year within Rhode Island. The Rhode Island Coalition to End Homelessness said the addition of new shelters in the state are not keeping up with the growing amount of people unsheltered. The public is invited to attend tonight’s meeting at 6:30 p.m. The full comprehensive plan is available online. Categories: News