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Enrique J. Pepén headshot

Enrique J. Pepén

District 5 Councilor
Enrique J. Pepén focuses on making Boston's streets safer, protecting immigrant rights, and improving daily neighborhood services. He consistently supports major investments in public transit and local infrastructure while strongly opposing cuts to community programs and any city cooperation with federal immigration enforcement.
⚡ enrique j. pepén stance snapshot

Policy Priorities

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Street Safety and Transit:Pushes for major investments in transportation infrastructure, including speed humps in District 5 and the Blue Hill Avenue redesign. He strongly supports goals and demands accountability from city contractors for reliable school bus services.
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Neighborhood Services:Fights against budget cuts to local community grants and advocates for expanding EMS coverage in neighborhoods like Hyde Park. He also supports commercial rent assistance to keep small businesses from being priced out of their neighborhoods.
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Immigrant Protections:Defends Boston's sanctuary city policies and strongly opposes any city collaboration with the Department of Homeland Security or federal immigration enforcement.
⚡ key discussions

Areas of Council Debate

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State Receivership of City Functions:Opposes state takeovers of local city operations. He voted against a resolution supporting state receivership for early voting (Docket #1616) and actively argued against placing Boston Public Schools transportation under state control, stating he does not agree with surrendering local oversight.
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Reallocating Transit Grants:Strongly opposed shifting external transit capital grants to operational funds for the Blue Hill Avenue project (Docket #0483). He warned that the move shows an unwillingness to commit to long-term infrastructure and risks losing community trust and millions in federal funding.
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Delivery Vehicle Regulations:Objected to proposed blanket bans on mopeds and e-bikes used by third-party food delivery drivers (Docket #0325). He argued that such drastic measures require much more conversation and exploration of alternatives before cutting off a transportation method used by working residents.
Wards:Ward 14: 14 · Ward 18: 5-6, 8-23 · 11, 22 · 2-4, 21 · Ward 19: 10-11, 13 · Ward 20: 1, 2, 4, 8, 9
Policy Deep-Dive

Policy Stances

Deep Dive on Issues Page →

Zoning & Land Use Modernization

October 8, 2026
Position Summary

Councilor Pepén consistently advocates for modernizing zoning and land use regulations, supporting the removal of barriers such as residential parking minimums and the Twenty-First Century Road to Housing Act to accelerate housing production and address the affordable housing crisis. He also emphasizes prioritizing anti-displacement strategies to protect existing residents during urban development.

Tenant Protections & Anti-Displacement

October 8, 2026
Position Summary

He advocates for the stability of the Department of Housing by opposing budgetary cuts and supports robust anti-displacement action plans to ensure current residents can remain in their communities. He rejects measures that he views as undermining the Council's regulatory oversight or existing tenant rights.

Inclusionary Development Policy (IDP) Calibration

October 8, 2026
Position Summary

Councilor Pepén staunchly defends existing Inclusionary Development Policy requirements, opposing any attempts to roll back percentages, and supports expanding the eligible off-site housing radius to prioritize the creation of physical affordable housing units over financial contributions.

Public Housing Operations & Oversight

October 8, 2026
Position Summary

Councilor Pepén ensures rigorous oversight of public housing operations, particularly concerning Boston Housing Authority () compliance, and opposes measures that could undermine the Council's established authority in these matters, such as those related to Section elevator access.

Housing for Vulnerable Populations & Equity

October 8, 2026
Position Summary

Councilor Pepén champions housing affordability as a critical equity issue, emphasizing the need for city departments to be adequately resourced to effectively serve diverse and immigrant populations, and advocates for budget priorities that reflect this commitment.

Homelessness Prevention & Emergency Services

October 8, 2026
Position Summary

He strongly supports the continued allocation of federal and state grants to fund essential emergency housing services, emphasizing the necessity of maintaining these key municipal housing resources to support and protect the city's vulnerable residents.

Legislation They Sponsored

467 of 467 dockets sponsored or co-sponsored

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Committee Involvement