Rhode Island Coalition of Housing Providers backs Smiley's veto of the rent stabilization ordinance
Rhode Island Coalition of Housing ProvidersOrganization representing landlords, in a statement from its director, Shannon Weinstein, supporting Mayor Smiley's veto
The Rhode Island Coalition of Housing Providers said in a statement from its director, Shannon Weinstein, that the rent stabilization ordinance would be keenly felt by Providence families, who it said cannot afford policies that deepen the very challenges "we are trying to solve." It added that the City of Providence cannot afford to get this wrong.
“This ordinance would be keenly felt by Providence families, who cannot afford policies that deepen the very challenges we are trying to solve The City of Providence cannot afford to get this wrong.”
Reporting
Where this statement fits
Should Providence cap annual rent increases at 4%?
Providence's proposed rent stabilization ordinance would set a standard 4% annual increase limit for covered housing, with exemptions and permitted adjustments. Mayor Brett Smiley vetoed it, arguing that it would worsen housing constraints and shift tax burdens. State Rep. David Morales supported the proposal as part of his housing platform. The council's attempt to override the veto failed. The dispute is whether Providence should adopt this form of rent regulation.
Source and context
Reporting
About this source
WPRI's report on Mayor Brett Smiley's April 17, 2026 veto of the Providence City Council's rent stabilization ordinance, published April 17 and updated the same day. It reports statements from the mayor, councilors and advocacy groups.
Archived copy (opens in a new tab)Before the quotation
The Providence City Council gave final approval to the ordinance on April 16, 2026, in a 9-6 vote. Mayor Brett Smiley vetoed it on April 17.
After the quotation
WPRI reported that the council then had 30 days to override the veto and would need 10 votes to do so.
How this statement is classified
The label describes this statement's response within the context above.
Why this label?
The case asks whether Providence should adopt a 4% cap on annual rent increases, so the reference point is the proposed rent stabilization ordinance. The coalition backs the mayor's veto and says the ordinance would be felt by families who cannot afford policies that deepen the city's housing challenges. That criticizes the ordinance itself, so we used the Condemned label.
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More from this case
Read the full caseBrett Smiley calls rent control a false promise
“I believe it is a false promise”Read statement
David Morales says rent stabilization can accompany more construction
“We can ensure that we have rent stabilization in place, or our neighbors do not get price-gouged when it comes to rent increases.”Read statement
David Morales outlines a plan to seek a 4% rent cap and later enforcement
“In January, I intend to work with the city council when they reintroduce the rent stabilization ordinance.”Read statement
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- Rhode Island Coalition of Housing Providers backs Smiley's veto of the rent stabilization ordinance
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The Dispute Index. "Rhode Island Coalition of Housing Providers backs Smiley's veto of the rent stabilization ordinance". First published: 2026-09-26. Last updated: 2026-09-26. https://disputeindex.com/events/2821-the-rhode-island-coalition-of-housing-providers-said