Woonsocket council receives initial homelessness subcommittee report after debate over encampment map

The Woonsocket City Council on a 5-2 roll-call vote received an initial report from the council’s homelessness subcommittee that documents encampment locations and outlines contributing factors to homelessness in the city.

Council members debated whether the report’s focus and the inclusion of a map showing encampment sites should be published as part of the public record. Councilwoman Fox and Councilwoman Gonzales voted against receiving the draft; five other councilors voted to receive it.

The report is an initial compilation of information intended to inform where the city allocates resources. Councilman Kenoyer said the subcommittee “has given us a lot of data and facts” and emphasized that homelessness arises from “a spectrum of things” including affordable housing and high rents, not only substance use or mental illness. Council President Gendron thanked the subcommittee for its work and urged realistic expectations about what the city can accomplish with limited resources.

Vice President Sierra, who identified herself as chair of the homelessness committee and the author of the report, said the document was intended to examine the city’s response and spending on transitional and emergency shelter options rather than to assign blame. Sierra said the report intentionally focused on encampments because constituents repeatedly asked “How many camps? Where are they?” and who is in them.

Councilwoman Fox, speaking after public advocates were thanked by name, highlighted affordability metrics from the report and said the cost to buy a typical starter home in Woonsocket was glaring: “A hundred and $19,123 to buy a home here in Woonsocket,” she said, and noted that a two‑bedroom rental would require roughly a $60,000 annual income to afford. Fox said those figures show large parts of the community are priced out and urged the council to maintain attention on housing affordability as it develops responses.

Councilman Dubois described visits to encampments with Captain Pickard and said residents there often “want help” but face complex needs including substance use and psychiatric conditions. Dubois urged rapid outreach and programs rather than simply clearing camps: “We gotta put programs in place,” he said.

Several councilors, including Gonzales and Fox, asked that the report be edited to remove the map and precise locations of encampments before it is made part of the permanent record, citing safety risks and the possibility that publishing locations could draw people who might incite violence or exploit vulnerable residents. Councilwoman Gonzales said the task force’s work had been “months and 8 drafts” and asked that the report clearly state it focuses on unsheltered encampments; the report itself includes a clause reserving the subcommittee’s right to supplement and amend it as new information arrives.

The council clerk completed a roll call after discussion. The vote to receive the report (agenda item 25RC09) recorded: Councilman Kenoyer — yes; Councilman Duwa — yes; Councilwoman Fox — no; Councilwoman Gonzales — no; Councilwoman Harmon — yes; Councilwoman Sierra — yes; President Gendron — yes. The clerk announced: “25RC09 is received 5 to 2.”

The subcommittee will be able to amend the report and submit a supplemental version; several councilors asked that future subcommittee meeting notices be circulated to the full council so members can review and comment before reports are placed on the general meeting agenda.

Votes and next steps: The report was received as presented; councilors opposing the receipt said they would prefer the map removed and other edits before it is part of the permanent record. The subcommittee retains the ability to supplement or amend the report, and several councilors requested a follow-up report with edits and additional outreach planning.