Agency is not planning a ‘wet house’ for homeless

ON June 18 you ran a story about a new homeless service for Mitchel Street, Thurles, being provided by Novas Initiatives. Unfortunately, it contained many inaccuracies on key aspects of the development.

Firstly, it claimed that the development was for “a controversial wet house”. It was established two years ago that the new service will not be a “wet house” (ie, allow clients to bring alcohol into the premises or consume alcohol on the premises).

The residents’ group was informed of this by the council (by letter available to your newspaper). Next we are described as “private developers”. We are a not-for-profit voluntary agency promoting social inclusion. Our main services are for homeless adults with services in Limerick, Kerry, Dublin and north Tipperary. We are like every other charity, registered under Irish company law and accorded charitable status by the Revenue Commissioners. We are a body approved by the Department of Local Government to provide social housing.