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Residents and advocates urge city action on homelessness; some speakers support Open Doors facility
Summary
Multiple residents spoke during public comment at the Woonsocket City Council meeting about homelessness, food access and community support programs; several praised Open Doors as a potential operator of a day shelter and urged local leaders to pursue pragmatic solutions.
A string of public commentators at Monday’s Woonsocket City Council meeting raised concerns about homelessness, municipal priorities and local food-access programs, and several speakers recommended working with the nonprofit Open Doors.
Reverend Rhonda Sharon said she has asked repeatedly for the city audit from February 2023 and criticized municipal leadership’s handling of homelessness and related services. Sienna Viet, co‑owner of Open Farms Retreat in Cumberland, described a community-supported agriculture program that delivered more than 5,000 pounds of produce to Woonsocket families and said the program seeks funding and expansion to reach more households. Viet said the farm’s CSA serves families regardless of income and invited councilors to visit the farm.
Brenda Lee McGovern and other residents urged a balanced approach that protects seniors, veterans, students and small-business owners while addressing homelessness with compassion. Pat Ford, executive director of Libertarian Mutual Aid, spoke in support of the city’s engagement with Open Doors and described Open Doors’ facilities in Pawtucket as tightly managed, 24/7 operations with on-site services and strict controls on access and behavior.
David Focarelli, representing the office of Lieutenant Governor Sabina Matos, appeared to brief the council on state-level legislation intended to ban or limit restrictive covenants that prevent properties from being used as grocery stores. He urged support for the proposed legislation, which the council later took up in a resolution.
Why it matters: Public comment highlighted community tension between a desire for public safety and concerns about homelessness, and it showcased local volunteer and nonprofit efforts on food access. Separately, the lieutenant governor’s office framed the restrictive‑covenant issue as a piece of state policy with local consequences for grocery access.
City response and follow-up
Mayor Christopher Beauchamp thanked speakers, corrected a public misstatement about the timing of finance reports and said city staff work daily on municipal issues. Councilors and the mayor invited community groups to engage with city staff and to use a new small‑business hub to coordinate resources and assistance.
Next steps
Council took no immediate policy action on the shelter concept at the meeting beyond hearing public comment and later passed a resolution supporting state legislation on restrictive covenants. The council’s staff and mayor said they are exploring options and, in subsequent agenda items, invited community stakeholders to meet with city staff to pursue practical solutions.
