Former Walsh Pharmacy on Rock Street to Become 24-Unit Housing for Homeless

FALL RIVER ─ The former Walsh Pharmacy property at 202 Rock Street has been purchased by a local non-profit organization and will be renovated with city funds for the homeless and those struggling with housing.

Community Development Agency (CDA) Executive Director Michael Dion said the Community Housing Resource Board purchased the property and his agency will fund the renovations. He said that a request for proposals will be published soon.

After the rehab is completed, there will be 14 one room units on the second floor and added second egress and 10 rooms on the bottom level where the pharmacy’s located.

Dion said there are six people currently residing at the Rock Street property. 

In addition to the interior renovations, Dion said surveillance cameras will be installed.

With the shifting of housing policies and funding within the U.S. Housing and Urban Development agency which funds CDA programs, Dion said his agency does have the funding resources to pay for the renovations to the Rock Street inn.

Mayor Paul Coogan said the new housing will be “for the people that need it.”

“Whether they are transitioning, people in bad domestic situations, people on the road to recovery and people who need some support,” said Coogan.