‘Challenging year’ sees 13% rise in homeless seeking help

A “VERY challenging year” has seen a 13% jump in the amount of people getting help from homeless charity Focus Ireland.

Over 220 households managed to secure a home so far in 2008, as demand for support continues to grow, while the total amount of people given assistance was 6,000 between January and October — compared to 5,300 during the same period last year.

Much of the work done by Focus Ireland is aimed at preventing at-risk people from becoming homeless.

The charity is already seeing the impact of the recession on some of the most vulnerable people in society, those attending the launch of a new housing project in Waterford heard yesterday.

“The support provided by organisations like Focus Ireland is even more important in times of recession as resources will be tighter and we must all ensure we work together to protect families and single people in need,” said Focus Ireland chief executive Joyce Loughnan.

“Much of our work is geared to directly prevent families from becoming homeless in the first place, so continued funding of these services, linked with better access to housing, is the key to supporting the most vulnerable people through hard times.”

Focus Ireland has called on the public to support their work this Christmas, as they rely heavily on public and corporate supporters to raise at least one-third of its annual running costs.

Over 6,000 people receive help from Focus Ireland every year, while a permanent home has now been provided for 670 households nationwide in recent years.

Yesterday’s launch saw 16 new homes being provided for households in time for Christmas.

Based at Hennessy’s Road in Waterford city and built on derelict land previously known as Powersfield, the Cluain Ghlas development was opened by Minister of State for Housing Michael Finneran.

The development of one, two and three-bedroom homes for families and single adults from the local area has been delivered through a partnership between Focus Ireland, Waterford City Council and the Department of Environment.

The project provides high-quality, low-cost, supported accommodation and directly addresses specific housing needs identified in the Waterford area by Focus Ireland and local councils.

“This project,” said Focus Ireland’s Waterford manager David Niblock, “provides a great template for future housing developments as is it specifically designed to meet the different needs of local people.”

The 16 homes are accompanied by St Brigid’s Children’s Centre which will provide affordable childcare to the local community, while the local council is also developing a sports area on site.

This work is currently in progress and will feature a children’s play area along with a sports pitch.

According to the charity, there are up to 5,000 people who are homeless in Ireland at any one time, with a small percentage sleeping rough and the majority staying in emergency accommodation such as hostels.