A new sheltered housing initiative in south Co Dublin has helped more than 35 homeless people to avoid having to live rough on the streets, it was claimed yesterday.
All six emergency beds and 13 apartments for long-term stays are currently occupied at the €3 million Bentley House facility in Dún Laoghaire, which was officially opened yesterday.
In the nine months since doors first opened at Bentley House, which is operated on behalf of Dún Laoghaire/Rathdown County Council by Crosscare, the Catholic Church's social care agency, 35 people have used the facilities and seven have moved into private accommodation.
Before Bentley House opened Dún Laoghaire had a substantial number of people sleeping rough, said Liz Clifford, the council's co-ordinator for homelessness.
She explained: "There are a variety of reasons for becoming homeless: addiction is the main one, primarily alcohol; domestic violence; the inability to hold on to a tenancy; and there are some mental health issues. People might be sleeping in the old Victorian shelters on the seafront, on the soccer pitch, or sofa-surfing [staying with friends]."
Alternately, people went to Dublin city to find emergency accommodation.
Ms Clifford says that the shelter helps homeless people to remain in an area where they can be more easily treated for any problems and supported by social services and their families.
There was 24-hour care at the house and a doctor and nurse visited each week. Once someone entered the house, the goal was to try to help them find permanent accommodation.
Ideally, people would stay in the emergency accommodation for a short time, and in the apartments for up to six months, she said, adding: "It is about providing services at a local level and helping people move back into the life of the local community, when possible."