Digital Hub businesses welcome plan to house homeless

Ed McCready, who runs a business in the Digital Hub in Dublin’s Liberties, lives, in his own words, in the leafy suburbs, travelling into work each morning on the Luas.

“I walk up every morning along Thomas Street, between 8am and 8.30am, and I see people in sleeping bags. It’s uncomfortable and it’s wrong. It’s getting colder now as well, so it’s no life for people,” he says.

Soon, some of the city’s homeless will be living – if temporarily – in the Digital Hub itself, following the decision of the Dublin Region Homeless Executive to take over an empty building.

This winter, the building will offer refuge for up to 100 homeless people until April. “At least, somebody is doing something,” says McCready, co-owner of CoolMoss Creative Agency.

Derelict buildings

Such refuges are often unpopular but McCready welcomes the idea: “I honestly think it’s a great idea. This is an area where you see a lot of homeless people and there are so many derelict buildings.

“Something is being put to use and, in some ways, it’s really quite creative. It’s a winter initiative as far as I know, but I personally hope it is extended beyond that and is developed a little bit more.”

In terms of whether there have been any concerns about negative effects on the business community, he says: “I don’t think so. I really can’t see it being a problem. In the grand scheme of things, people are good people, and I think they’ll be open to it and give people a chance. People are homeless and they deserve a chance.”

Ciarán Doyle, director of Soft Potential, says there has been “pretty good” communication from the Digital Hub in relation to the initiative.

“The chief executive sent out a notification,” he says. “There was also a briefing. I don’t have any issues with it. The sense around is very positive. People want to volunteer and there hasn’t been any negativity so far from businesses.”

Humanitarian element

He says “other supports” are also being provided for those who will be housed on the campus. “It’s not just a case of ‘there’s a bed’,” he says. “There are rooms, showers, education initiatives.”

“My understanding is they have a meeting area and an eating area. There are showers and they all have their own lockers. I haven’t seen it yet, but it sounds like they know what they’re doing.”

Michael Hallissy, founding partner with H2 Learning, says it is “important” from a humanitarian point of view.

“Our building is right beside the warehouse, and the people there are very supportive of trying to do something,” he says. “I think it’s important that people are seen to be supportive. There is a space there that is not being used.”

Paul Davis of event management company Davis Events says homelessness needs to be prioritised following the death of homeless man Jonathan Corrie almost a year ago.

“There was a meeting with people in the building,” he says. “It was very positive generally. It’s a good idea and it’s a good thing to do.”