Singer opens women's housing unit

Irish singer Samantha Mumba opened an accommodation project for young women in Dublin yesterday.

The Focus Ireland Young Women's Project provides four places for young women aged 18 to 20 who are leaving State care or who have been homeless.

"It's great to see young, strong Irish women taking control of their lives," Ms Mumba said. "I think if I had half their strength, I'd be doing well."

Four women have been living in single apartments in the project house since October 2000. The project is funded by the Northern Area Health Board and the building was donated by the Sisters of Charity.

Focus Ireland, one of the largest voluntary homeless services in Ireland, hopes to give the young women a chance to "find their feet" in a safe environment before they move on to live independently.

"Young people who have been in State care often can't make the move to complete independence, so they need this transition," said Ms Anna Farrell, the project leader.

The president of Focus Ireland, Sister Stanislaus Kennedy said this was an "important stage" in the women's lives.

Demand for the accommodation was prompted by a Focus Ireland report, Left Out On Their Own, which found many young people leaving care ended up homeless or in prison.

The report said nearly two-thirds of those leaving health board care and one-third of people leaving special schools for young offenders experienced homelessness within their first two years.

Ms Farrell said the report showed a "chronic current shortage" in suitable accommodation.

Project staff would put a strong emphasis on personal development and integration into the community, said Ms Brenda Hannon, regional manager at the crisis intervention service.