HOMELESS CHARITY FOCUS Ireland has said it helped over 13,500 people last year – a record for the group.
Launching its annual report, Focus said that a shift in direction is required away from “managing homelessness” towards ending the crisis as they say “no emergency accommodation will ever replace a place to call home”.
New Housing Minister Eoghan Murphy launched the report as he also officially opened the charity’s new 28-unit housing development at Harold’s Cross in Dublin.
The development at Greenmount Close provides 28 new homes for people who are elderly or have disabled needs – and were previously homeless or at risk.
The land for the housing was donated by the Sisters of Charity and the project was funded by the Department of Housing.
Focus Ireland chairman Gerry Danaher said the new homes have been provided under the charity’s strategy target to provide 600 more homes by 2020.
Housing
Danaher said: “I am proud to say we got off to a good start by delivering 135 new homes in 2016 compared to 35 the previous year. By the end of 2016, Focus Ireland owned or managed a total of 820 housing units for people who were homeless or at risk.”
The group highlighted that it is now only eight days away from the deadline to ensure hotels are only used in limited circumstances for emergency accommodation for families.
Danaher added: “While we recognise the need for decent short-term emergency accommodation for families. However, let us be clear.
No form of emergency accommodation provides a home or an end to homelessness for any family or individuals. At present there is no timeframe in place so these families know there is a clear end in sight for the trauma of homelessness they are currently going through each day.
You can view the full Focus Ireland report here.
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