Following the death last week of a homeless man exposed to the severe winter weather, the City of Fall River and Steppingstone, Inc. have discussed how the organization’s First Step Inn can expand its services.
Both the city and shelter have been targeted as failing to meet the needs of the homeless community following the death of 59-year-old Jaime Cordeiro outside of a mill on Globe Mills Avenue in the city’s south end.
Steppingstone has been accused of being unwilling to open up unused space at the First Step Inn to accommodate more homeless individuals. The shelter offers 30 beds year-round, increasing it to 50 during the winter. An overflow shelter with an additional 30 beds is available each winter at the Timao Center on Bay Street. Steppingstone has also secured state funding to offer hotel room space in Dartmouth to an additional 20 individuals.
This week Mayor Paul Coogan met with leaders at Steppingstone and assurances have been made by the organization that it will cooperate with the city to expand its services to the homeless.
Although plans have not been finalized, discussions have centered on the First Step Inn expanding the number of emergency shelter beds year-round and opening up common spaces at its building on Durfee Street to accommodate more individuals during severe winter weather.
