Providence temporary housing community opening delayed

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — The Rhode Island Department of Housing announced Tuesday that Providence’s ECHO Village will not open until the fall.

Spokesperson Emily Marshall said site work still needs to be completed and supply chain issues must be resolved before the temporary housing community can accept occupants.

ECHO Village is located in a field just off I-95 South in Providence comprised of dozens of temporary pallet houses.

Officials previously said they hoped for the community to open in early spring after years of negotiations to find a suitable location.

Marshall said the project had to wait to receive approvals regarding safety measures, energy, and plumbing from the Building Codes Standards Committee.

Following the approvals on May 9, the community is on track to open in the fall, according to Marshall.

The announcement comes as multiple homeless encampments in the city are being forced to vacate their respective premises.