Project offers refuge homes

YOUNG families and single parents who have been in crisis accommodation will benefit from a €2.5 million project aimed at reintegrating them into the community.

The project, a joint initiative between Cork City Council, Sophia Housing Association and the Good Shepherd Services, will be unveiled tomorrow by Minister for State at the Department of the Environment, Noel Ahern.

Fourteen apartments have been built in Cork City specifically with the purpose of accommodating those who have been in emergency shelters, for one reason or another, and who now want to get back into society.

Cork City Council’s senior executive housing officer, Paul Moynihan, said the apartments at City Park House on Sullivan’s Quay and The Mews at Riverway would be capable of accommodating up to 40 mothers and children at any one time.

He said that families and single people who were coming from emergency accommodation could stay in the apartments for a up to a year before being rehoused.

The Southern Health Board is also involved in the programme where families and singles will get support in a stress-free environment. “The objective is to provide good quality accommodation backed up by counselling, guidance and training which will develop people’s skills to manage and make a home for themselves, Jean Quinn, director of the Dublin-based Sophia Housing Association said.

Sr Martina Deasy of the Good Shepherd Services said settling into a new home is complex and required a variety of skills.

“After appropriate support these residents will be rehoused on a planned basis in conjunction with Cork City Council and we will continue to provide an outreach programme,” Sr Deasy said.

The Sophia Housing Association will be responsible for upkeep and maintenance of the apartments and the support services.