Dublin councillors at odds over homeless hostel plans

Dublin city councillors are at odds over plans to open a homeless hostel in the city’s south Georgian conservation area.

The council wants to turn a former hotel in Georgian buildings on Fitzwilliam Street into a supported temporary accommodation unit for 30 men and women.

The council bought Longfield’s Hotel seven years ago at the height of the property market for almost €7 million.

The hotel, about 100 metres from Merrion Square and opposite ESB’s headquarters, has been vacant since then and has cost the council more than €300,000 in security and maintenance services.

The location is in the heart of the south Georgian core, which the council wants to re-establish as an upmarket residential area.

Director of the Dublin Region Homeless Executive, Cathal Morgan, told councillors the service provider would have to sign up to a community charter which would govern relations between the hostel and residents and businesses.

The public will be able to make submissions on the plans.