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Annajane Yolken on Ward 13, rent stabilization, and the future of Providence
Bill Bartholomew speaks with Annajane Yolken, a Democratic primary candidate for Providence City Council Ward 13, about why she entered the race and what she hears at the doors. Yolken explains how her work in social services and overdose prevention shaped her view of Providence's affordability crisis and why she sees city council as a place to turn policy into action.They also get into the biggest issues facing the ward and the city, including rent stabilization, housing development, Providence's creative identity, and the divestment vote. Yolken argues that the election is a turning point for the city's direction.
Key topics
- Why Yolken entered the race
- She says her work in social services and overdose prevention gave her a direct view of the city's affordability crisis.She points to her role in helping pass and implement the first in the nation authorization of an overdose prevention center as proof that local government can make meaningful change.
- Yolken works at Project Weber Renew, which serves people experiencing homelessness and people who use drugs.She says the organization serves about 7,000 unique individuals in Rhode Island through two drop in centers.She previously worked at the State House on criminal justice reform and overdose policy.
- The biggest issue she hears is cost of living, especially rent.She says the ward is mostly renters, and many neighbors are worried about being priced out of Providence entirely.
- Yolken says she supports rent stabilization and would vote yes on the ordinance as passed.She also says the policy needs to be handled thoughtfully.She adds that her opponent, Connor Blier, testified against rent stabilization publicly.
- She supports streamlining bureaucratic city processes for housing development.In her view, delays add costs that eventually get passed on to tenants.
- Yolken says she has lived in Providence for 19 years and in the ward for 12 years.She calls attacks on her local roots a distraction from the real issues.She says voters care more about affordability, schools, and sidewalks than where someone went to college.
- Yolken says she agrees that Providence is at a critical juncture.She recalls that when she moved to Ward 13, rents were under $300 and the area had a strong artist community.She argues the city has lost some of that creative energy because people can no longer afford to stay.
- Yolken says she will vote yes on the divestment measure.As a Jewish resident, she says she feels an obligation to speak critically about Israel's actions against Palestinians.She also says symbolic acts, like raising the Palestinian flag at City Hall, matter because they can spark important public conversation.
- She says the city should do more to platform local artists and connect arts policy to the people actually creating art on the ground.She specifically mentions the Department of Arts, Culture and Tourism and Ward 13's Valley Arts District.She wants development to preserve affordable space for artists and community use.
- Yolken says her career has been about helping people through difficult moments.She wants to bring care and compassion to City Hall.She invites residents to reach out and get involved in the race.
Timestamps
00:00 - Why Annajane Yolken entered the Ward 13 race
01:26 - Her work at Project Weber Renew and overdose policy background
02:31 - Ward 13 voters' top concern: rent and cost of living
03:32 - Streamlining housing development to reduce costs
04:48 - Aligning with David Morales on Providence's direction
06:05 - Responding to claims that she's not a local
07:35 - Why she sees the "outsider" attack as a distraction
08:44 - Her support for rent stabilization and where Connor Blier stood
10:58 - Providence's loss of affordability and creative identity
13:54 - Why this election could decide the city's future direction
15:50 - Her support for the divestment measure and Palestinian flag symbolism
18:41 - How City Hall should support artists and the creative economy
20:45 - Final pitch: care, compassion, and community leadership
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