Introduction
Fall River is a city in Massachusetts, United States, with a population of over 90,000 people. The city of Fall River has both geographical and political boundaries. The city is limited by the Taunton River on the West, while the eastern border is partially shaped by South Watuppa and Watuppa ponds. In other directions, city limits are defined by political borders: Freetown on the North and the state border between Massachusetts and Rhode Island on the South.
The city is divided into four sections by two highways, Interstate 195 and Route 79. Each section contains distinct neighborhoods, with Flint Village and Globe Village being the largest. Neighborhoods are populated by diverse communities with different incomes and racial backgrounds. Further, the housing statistics in Fall River and the current state of St. Anne’s neighborhood are presented.
Housing and Zoning
Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC) provides statistical housing data on municipalities within the state. According to their data, in Fall River, more than half (55%) of housing units are located in buildings built before 1939. Another 28% of Fall River dwellings are in buildings dating from 1940-1979, respectively. Single-family homes comprise only 25% of housing units in Fall River, three times less than the state average. Almost a third (29%) of households live in multi-family buildings with five or more housing units per building. Two- to four-family buildings form 46% of all housing units, making it the most common type of dwelling (MAPC, n.d.).
Signs of Decay
Saint Anne’s Hospital and the nearby church of the same name are centers of the nicest neighborhoods in Fall River. The area is clean and well maintained, with no signs of debris or trash on the streets. There are no abandoned cars or buildings in this part of the city either. There are no particular signs of wildlife, except for some birds and squirrels in the nearby Kennedy Park. In addition to the church and the park, St. Anne’s neighborhood is home to many restaurants renowned for Portuguese cuisine.
Reference
Metropolitan Area Planning Council. (n.d.) Housing Fall River MA: Basic Housing Needs Assessment for Fall River, MA. Web.