Fall River council adopts resolution to probe shelter operations after recent death; public urges winter capacity, tiny-house options

Councilors voted Tuesday to have the finance committee meet with the administration to examine shelter operations and funding after a recent death of an unhoused resident prompted weeks of public outcry.

The resolution calls for discussion of “ongoing issues related to the First Step In providing safe shelter services in the winter,” including funding, admission barriers and bed counts. The full council adopted the measure after public comment and several rounds of debate.

The move follows more than two hours of testimony during the meeting’s citizen input period from veterans, volunteers and service providers describing gaps in shelter capacity and barriers that keep people from entering shelters. “The HERO Act will help many veterans, but we also need more shelter beds,” said Vietnam veteran Thomas Cabral, who addressed the council during public comment. “This resolution to implement tax relief is not just policy. It’s about honoring those who served,” Cabral added while urging…