Support service bids to cut numbers sleeping rough

A new one-to-one support service for the homeless could cut the number of people sleeping rough on the streets of Dublin by 20% over two years, it was announced today.

The capital’s Simon Community aims to help people who have recently been housed in council housing or private rented accommodation with its Tenancy Sustainment Service – due to begin in 2006.

A team of 12 people will offer support on a one-to-one basis including advice on money management, health and addiction problems.

Dublin Simon made the announcement as it celebrated Christmas at its new housing project on the city’s Canal Road with Dublin Lord Mayor Catherine Byrne.

The home in Ranelagh provides 19 individual apartments for single men and women who were recently homeless; for some of them this will be the first Christmas in 10 years they have had permanent accommodation.

At the festive coffee morning – complete with mince pies – the Lord Mayor said she was impressed with the facilities and the standard of care shown by the residents, who are responsible for its upkeep.

“The Simon House in Canal Road is a real demonstration that, when homeless people are given the supports they need and a good roof over their head, they will turn their lives around,” she said.

The director of Dublin Simon, Sam McGuinness, hailed the new housing project, but warned there was a long way to go to effectively help people sleeping on the streets.

“The value of the Canal Road service is clear to see, and Dublin City Council should be proud of their support for this project.

“However, at Dublin Simon we have found 2005 a difficult year in placing people who are homeless, and there is still a long way to go in terms of creating stable accommodation for people who still rely on emergency shelters or sleep rough,” he said.

“The new Tenancy Sustainment Service, to be operated by Dublin Simon Community in 2006, is another new service that will work to prevent and reverse homelessness.

“We expect that this new service, set to be launched in early 2006, will have a big impact on homelessness. It could reduce numbers of people who are homeless in Dublin by 20% over two years,” he said.