The city this week is undertaking its annual count of the homeless population across Fall River.
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) requires cites like Fall River to conduct what is called a Point in Time Count of those in the city experiencing homelessness. An accurate count will assist HUD in not only gathering data on the homelessness problem across the country but target funds to areas in need of assistance.
Fall River conducts these counts annually and has coordinated a street outreach team of dedicated human service professionals and others to canvass the city to identify those without a steady home. City of Fall River Coordinator of Homeless Programs Mary Camara says identifying those who are homeless is a challenge.
Homeless and Substance Abuse Advocate Niki Fontaine says individuals in local shelters are also counted. And as the pandemic and inflation continue to impact residents, more and more of them are finding themselves out in the cold.
In 2021 325 individuals in Fall River were identified as homeless. Fontaine says those on the street outreach team are trained to help, and not judge, those needing assistance.
The culminating event of the Point in Time Count will be this Saturday from 10 am to 2 pm at the One Step Inn shelter at 134 Durfee Street and the Timao Center overflow shelter at 371 Bay Street where the homeless and community partners will gather to provide free clothing, food and treatment resources for those who are in need.
Fontaine and Camara say the community partners are focused on working together toward a common goal of ending homelessness in Fall River.
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