This article is from page 4 of the 2006-01-10 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 4 JPG
THE provision of a hostel for homeless people sleeping rough in Clare is the priority for the newly appointed outreach officer with St Vincent de Paul.
Sandra Cox has recently taken up the post, which will see her providing support for homeless people across the county.
The Homeless Forum in Clare has said the lack of supported hostel accommodation is a major problem, in meeting the needs of the homeless.
Ms Cox, who has previously worked with the homeless in Limerick, will have a tough task ahead of her in Clare, where the number of homeless people has doubled in just two years. More than 500 people reported as homeless to the local authorities in Clare last year and Ms Cox is the first ever Outreach Officer for St Vincent de Paul in the county. Her role will be to focus on those who find themselves homeless or at risk of becoming homeless, amid difficulty acquiring a site for a hostel for the homeless.
A particular accommodation, on the outskirts of Ennis, which would provide an emergency home for 20 men, has been identified by St Vincent de Paul as suitable, but this has yet to be agreed by the relevant authorities.
“There have been three deaths in Ennis – on the streets – in the space of six years. Nobody is working with that group at the moment,” she said. “We are provided supported housing for people, by placing them in B & Bs, which is unsuitable. St Vincent de Paul is hoping to acquire houses, to be used as temporary accommodation, rather than B & Bs”.
Comparing the situation with Limerick, Ms Cox said, “Limerick is more advanced in that there is a homeless peoples’ unit and three hostels in Limerick.”
Clare people are currently referred to hostels in Galway and Limerick, but this is not satisfactory.
“People don’t necessarily want to go to Limerick or Galway. They want to stay in the area they are familiar with,” she said.
She believes people find themselves on the streets due to a variety of problems and issues, including domestic violence, alcohol and mental health issues and various family problems.
“They tend to be young males, between the ages of 18 and 25 and they are generally more town-based. You get a culture of people drinking on the streets over a period of time and they get used to it,” she added.
Anyone with queries should contact Sandra by calling Clare County Council homeless unit on (065) 6821616.