09/06/2026
I am always grateful to have the opportunity to weigh in on the housing and affordability issues affecting Rhode Islanders. Thank you Mark Patinkin and The Providence Journal for checking in with me and other experts in the field regarding the impact this year’s Providence election would have on housing.
Quite frankly, this election will have an impact on our entire state. While I can understand why many are enticed by Morales and his passionate talking points, that alone does not make someone ready to manage our capital city. Mayor Smiley has had a tough job for the past 4 years and has made substantial progress with real results. A steady increase in housing including 2025’s doubling of production to almost 1,000 new units (40% are income restricted), a rising vacancy rate (meaning leveling the playing field), and meaningful tenant protections, are just a few of the latest accomplishments to hang his hat on.
There are a lot more plans in the works and areas where we can all better work together. It is important that we do not impede real solutions, destroy our tax base, and redistribute the burden to homeowners and other tax payers. That is what rent control would do and it only creates a ripple effect from there. We need a Mayor that has already set the stage for successful collaboration rather than divisive rhetoric and failed promises.
I could talk for hours on this subject and still not be done, so I will leave it there. I urge you to be informed regarding every single name and issue on your ballot this year and GET OUT THE VOTE! 🇺🇸
Some Providence developers are delaying projects over rent control fears. Morales says exemptions make those concerns overblown. See link below ⬇️
📸 David DelPoio/The Providence Journal