Death of homeless man in Fall River leads to statement by First Step Inn, resolution by City Council

A Fall River organization has issued a response after a homeless man was found deceased this week.

Fall River Reporter reported on Tuesday that a man was found deceased near Kuss Middle School.

We contacted the Bristol County District Attorney’s Office, and they released a statement on Friday that at approximately 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, Fall River police responded to the area across from 89 Globe Mills Avenue near Kuss Middle School. 

When police arrived, they were directed to an area just outside of an abandoned mill across the street from 89 Globe Mills Avenue.  On the ground outside of the mill, police discovered a male with signs of death. 

The man was subsequently identified as 59-year-old Jaime Cordeiro, who was believed to be homeless. The decedent did not display any obvious signs of trauma. 

The decedent was initially located by a delivery driver who had made a delivery to 89 Globe Mills Avenue.  

The story led to questions from the community which led to the following statement being released on Friday afternoon.

“Steppingstone First Step Inn is deeply saddened by the passing of a homeless individual in our community this past week. While this individual had not sought services from First Step Inn at any time, his loss is a tragic reminder of the challenges faced by those experiencing homelessness.

“Our outreach teams work diligently every day to connect with individuals in need, offering shelter, support, and resources. Unfortunately, despite our best efforts, there are times when individuals decline services. We recognize and appreciate the many dedicated organizations in Fall River that work tirelessly to provide essential aid, including food, water, clothing, blankets, and other necessities. The responsibility of caring for our homeless population is a shared effort, and no single organization bears sole responsibility for this tragic loss.

“In response to concerns regarding our services, we want to reaffirm our commitment to supporting the homeless community. We have actively sought additional funding from the City of Fall River to provide services but, as of today, have not been successful. Contrary to any misconceptions, we have never refused funds from the City to assist those at the First Step Inn.

“Despite these challenges, we proactively sought alternative funding and were successfully awarded $146,212.34 from the Massachusetts Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities. These funds have allowed us to house homeless individuals in hotels, ensuring that no requests for shelter have gone unmet. This past week no one was turned away. Currently, our 50-bed facility is at full capacity, with 30 bed overflow accommodations available through the Timao Center and additional hotel placements as needed.

“The effort to combat homelessness in Fall River is a collaborative one, involving multiple agencies and service providers, including the FAST Team, Steppingstone, and many others who work tirelessly to meet the needs of our community. We urge continued collaboration and support from all stakeholders to ensure that those experiencing homelessness receive the care and assistance they deserve.

“For further information or to learn how you can support our mission, please contact Steppingstone.”

Kathleen Schedler-Clark

Executive Director

According to a Fall River City Council meeting itinerary for February 25th, the Committee on Finance and the Administration are expected to discuss a resolution concerning “ongoing issues with providing safe shelter services in the winter at First Step Inn, operated by Steppingstone, Inc., including challenges regarding adequate funding and staffing, strict qualification restrictions and bed counts.”

The investigation into the death is ongoing and is being conducted by the Massachusetts State Police Detective Unit of the Bristol County District Attorney’s Office and the Fall River Police Department.