FACT CHECK: Your tax dollars at work for Fall River area homeless

The recent closure of the Timao Center, Fall River’s only drop-in, daytime shelter had many local residents questioning why funding was not made available for the program that has been a lifeline for over 340 residents since it began in April of 2023. The program, which was initially funded with money from The Cares Act, was extended for three additional months until April of this year with ARPA funding from the city. When those funds ran out, the center closed.

In comparison, local Massachusetts lawmakers have expedited funding to help secure housing for migrants that have been sent to the Commonwealth through Federal relocation programs after crossing at the border. Democrat Senator Michael Rodrigues recently shared that state is spending approximately $75 million dollars a month on housing the approximately 7,5000 families here in Massachusetts.

Let’s take a closer look at how your tax dollars were spent on these two different programs.

Timao Center Breakdown

• Monthly Cost: $25,000
• Number of homeless: 340
• Daily Cost: $892.00
• Approximate cost per person, per day: $2.21

Migrant Housing Breakdown

• Monthly Cost: $75,000,000
• Number of homeless: 22,000
• Daily Cost: $2,600,000
• Approximate cost per person, per day: $118.00