Providence homeless encampment allowed to stay for now

Providence Mayor Jorge Elorza. Photo by Steve Klamkin WPRO News

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — A homeless encampment in Providence where people were ordered to leave by Friday will be allowed to stay for now after Mayor Jorge Elorza visited the site.

WPRI-TV reports that the mayor says the residents won’t be asked to leave until a short-term and long-term plan to help them is in place.

He says it’s the sign of the housing crisis in the city and in the state and more needs to be done.

Elorza says he knows that neighbors are not pleased with the encampment and said the city will continue to monitor it and if there’s any criminal or unsafe activities happening, things will change.