PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) — The Providence City Council approved a resolution Thursday night calling on Gov. Dan McKee to declare homelessness a public health emergency. The resolution, introduced by Councilor Justin Roias, will now be sent to McKee and Providence Mayor Brett Smiley. "This resolution is a call for leadership at the state level because our unhoused neighbors cannot wait any longer," Roias said. "Emergency shelter beds are in short supply, and warming centers where people sit in chairs all night are not a solution – they're a sign of how deeply our system has failed." The resolution urges McKee to declare a state of emergency to "prevent, intervene, and support the recovery of those experiencing homelessness." "Over the past four years, the number of unhoused residents in Rhode Island has continued to rise at an alarming rate," the resolution notes. "Recent data shows a staggering 35% increase in homelessness in Rhode Island from 2023 to 2024, compared to an 18% increase nationwide, ranking the state sixth in the nation for rising rates of homelessness." This comes just days after Roias and Councilor Miguel Sanchez opened the Providence City Council chambers to those seeking refuge from the bitter cold. Smiley sharply criticized their decision, arguing that Providence City Hall is not equipped to operate as a warming shelter. "I don't think Providence City Hall is set up to be a long-term emergency shelter," Smiley told 12 News Wednesday night. "It is not set up to be that." "We know the need is growing and no one more than me wants to ensure that everyone in Providence is left in the cold," he explained. The next day, Roias and Sanchez moved the warming shelter to the DaVinci Center with Smiley's approval. Roias said more than 70 volunteers have stepped up to provide donations and assist trained staff. Smiley said shelters across the capital city are currently in a "Code Blue" status, meaning no one will be turned away, regardless of whether there are open beds. "It doesn't necessarily mean there will be a bed available, but there will be a warm place to be with trained providers available to assist," Smiley explained. McKee has already refused to declare a public health emergency, stating that it will not solve the overall problem. "It does not unlock any new funding," he said. "Similarly, if I were to use that emergency power to waive capacity limits in shelters or ignore other safety concerns such as sprinkler systems and adequate egress, I would be solving one problem by creating a new one. I am not going to do that." But Providence City Council argues that more can and should be done. "Homelessness is rising, and not just in Providence. It's a statewide crisis," Providence City Council President Rachel Miller said. "Rhode Islanders are freezing on our streets, and we cannot address this alone." "We need an immediate investment to increase the availability of life-saving short-term solutions, and we need to come together at every level of government to address decades-long systemic failures," she continued. "Further inaction will cost lives." Roias described the resolution as being "a line in the sand." "It's a refusal to accept the excuse that we're doing the best we can," he said. "Rhode Island can do better." Rep. Teresa Tanzi also organized a petition urging McKee to reconsider. The petition is signed by nearly four dozen state lawmakers. "In the past year, 54 Rhode Islanders have died because they resided outside in the elements," the petition reads. "More have lost their lives because of diseases or illnesses they got as a result of them being homeless." The petition also notes that there are currently 674 Rhode Islanders waiting for permanent shelter statewide, all while the R.I. Department of Housing has seen significant turnover in leadership. "This is an urgent and dire situation," the petition continues. "You must act swiftly and guarantee a solutions driven approach to this crisis by operating a fully functioning Department of Housing. We need a policy plan to address the housing crisis that impacts the lives of those who have entrusted you to the office." The petition has been sent to McKee, however, it's unclear whether he's received it yet. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily Roundup SIGN UP NOW