09/10/2026
Rhode Island - September 9, 2026
Both the Pawtucket and Providence DHS offices remain closed due to confirmed live bed bug activity.
According to the DHS Director, the Pawtucket location will now remain closed for approximately 30 days while the building undergoes treatment, monitoring and a follow up canine inspection before a determination is made about returning to in person operations. Providence will also continue operating under a temporary remote service model.
These are two prominent DHS locations in two cities where many residents rely heavily on these services.
I absolutely respect the precaution being taken. I would much rather see employees and residents protected and the problem properly addressed than have these buildings reopened too soon.
But 30 days is also a long time for residents who need assistance.
I've already heard complaints from people saying they're spending hours on hold or going days without getting the assistance they need. Telework may keep services operating, but it does not replace face to face assistance for everyone, especially people who may have difficulty navigating these systems over the phone or online.
In my opinion, the State should be looking at temporary solutions within Pawtucket and Providence while these buildings remain closed.
Even something as simple as setting up temporary office trailers in a nearby parking lot, with a small number of DHS workers available for face to face assistance, could provide another option for residents who cannot get what they need remotely. Those construction trailers are everywhere, when I worked in restaurants and we were remodeling or constructing a new site, that's what we used.
If we know Pawtucket could be closed for approximately a month, then we also have time to create a temporary solution.
Protect the employees. Properly treat the buildings. But let's also make sure the people who depend on these services aren't left with fewer ways to get help while we wait.
According to a communication sent out, Pawtucket and Providence being the only confirmed locations but as a precaution, they are having a vendor treat all facilities.
Pawtucket Office
249 Roosevelt Avenue, Pawtucket, RI
Confirmed: 9/8 at 5:00 PM
Holden Street
125 Holden Street, Providence, RI
Confirmed: 9/9 at 5:00 PM
Middletown
31 John Clark Road, Middletown, RI
Confirmed: 9/9 at 5:00 PM
Wakefield – Steadman Center
4808 Tower Hill Road, Wakefield, RI
Confirmed: 9/14 5:00 PM
Hazard Building – Building 74
41 West Road
Confirmed: 9/10 at 5:00 PM
LP Building
25 Howard Avenue, Cranston, RI
Confirmed: 9/10 after 5:00 PM
Shepard Building
Providence
Treatment already completed
Woonsocket Office
Treatment already completed
The union also continued to request and advocate for heat treatments and estimates.
