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homeless child via Shutterstock

Housing charity in Cork moved 50 children out of homelessness this year

In the case of two women moved out of homelessness, they now have appropriate accommodation to have overnight access to their children.

HOUSING CHARITY THRESHOLD moved 142 people, including 50 children, out of homelessness in the last year in Cork, according to a report published today.

The report details the work of the charity’s access housing unit in Cork, which helps homeless people move into private accommodation. It also works to prevent tenancies failing to ensure people do not become homeless in the first place.

The unit, which is funded by the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government and Cork City Council, has been operating since autumn of last year and said today the figures shows the service has “made a real impact” on homelessness in the region.

Commenting on the figures, services manager for Threshold in Cork, Diarmaid O’Sullivan said homelessness has a “particularly destructive impact on families and children”.

Children’s education is disrupted; family support networks break down; and there is a huge mental and emotional toll on those affected. In light of this, it’s particularly encouraging to note the number of children helped through our Access Housing Unit this year.

In the case of two of the women who were housed, they now have appropriate accommodation to bring their children to and have overnight access with them.

There were also ten cases of threatened or illegal eviction brought to the attention of the unit and all were prevented.

O’Sullivan said some homeless people spend years in hostels and shelters before getting an opportunity to have a place of their own. By working with services and landlords, he said the unit can now house people in a matter of months.

However he said the charity recognises that a person who has experienced homelessness needs more than just housing and staff visit people in their new homes to help them “avoid potential pitfalls”. This includes advice on budgeting, money management, self-care and any other challenges that may arise.

To date, 85 per cent of those housed by the unit have not returned to homelessness.

Read: Number of families becoming homeless in Dublin has doubled – charity>

Read: NAMA says it has been the most ‘proactive’ in providing social housing>

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12 Comments
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    Mute Seamus MacIonnrachtaigh
    Favourite Seamus MacIonnrachtaigh
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    Dec 16th 2013, 11:36 AM

    In Ireland there are almost 100 empty houses for every homeless person.

    Funny, I don’t think Enda mentioned that last night.

    Threshold do excellent work but they really shouldn’t have to.

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    Mute John
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    Dec 16th 2013, 12:08 PM

    I think its disgusting to use the picture of a homeless child in the 3rd world to contrast against housing problems in this country. The child you have depicted doesn’t have access to social services or the care we take for granted in this country.

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    Mute Alfalfa T Boggins
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    Dec 16th 2013, 12:29 PM

    Send your child out to sleep on the street tonight and then tell us about the difference it is being homeless in Ireland tonight and being homeless in a third world country. At least in a 3rd world country they dont set their homeless on fire

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    Mute John
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    Dec 16th 2013, 12:31 PM

    Alfalfa. Go to India or Bangladesh and see how the people in the slums live, they’re treated like vermin, they exist on nothing. the rats in this country have a better quality of life.

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    Mute Alfalfa T Boggins
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    Dec 16th 2013, 12:37 PM

    Sorry John to me a homeless Child here in December is at risk as much any anyone anywhere. Most 12 year old’s are not aware of the services you speak about. Plus obviously no one would print a picture of a homeless child in Ireland, its too small a country.

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    Mute micheal285
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    Dec 16th 2013, 12:23 PM

    Maybe it’s the shape of things to come John ??

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    Mute John
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    Dec 16th 2013, 12:35 PM

    more than eight million Bangladeshis live on less than USD 2 a day. Its disgusting how people in our sheltered first world bubble compare their ‘hardships’ to the people of the 3rd world. We don’t know real hardship in this country. Open your eyes!

    http://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/news/article.cfm?id=4794

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    Mute Aunty Simmonite
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    Dec 16th 2013, 12:28 PM

    Contrast the few comments on this issue with the outpourings of the do-gooders on the earlier ‘racist’ item.

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    Mute Sinead Hanley
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    Dec 16th 2013, 1:04 PM

    John… Charity BEGINS at home.. I dont know what kind of a mind would think its ok for an Irish child to suffer a little bit.. Its ok to be cold and hungry and wet.. At least she isnt suffering like those in the third world..

    A child should be subjected to NO suffering.. no matter what part of the world you live in..

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    Mute Mitch Connor
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    Dec 18th 2013, 3:32 PM

    Gg

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    Mute Arpy O'hEigceartaigh
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    Dec 16th 2013, 4:34 PM

    “Suffer little children to come unto me”
    I say no more; think about it.

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    Mute John Allen
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    Dec 17th 2013, 1:49 PM

    fantastic work is being done in cork in regard to homeesess and your journal is doing a great job in high lightind the matter my em address is danielgreydog@yahoo.co.uk used to do a lot of hunting in glanmire woods happy christmas an the new year too god bless

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