e, Blake, Aaron, Anne, Michael, Paul, Aoife, Brendan, Lucy, Anthony, Dylan, Jamie, Ben, Eoin ...

86 Pages·2007·1.61 MB·English

Stephen, Iris, Jack, Margaret, Adam, Fred, Kate, Mary, Cillian, Anne, Conor, Patricia Daniel, Naoise Luke, Blake, Aaron, Anne, Michael, Paul, Aoife, Brendan, Lucy, Anthony, Dylan, Jamie, Ben, Eoin, David, Thomas, Jessica, John, Ava,
Catherine, Matthew, Cathy, Darragh, James, Oisín, Eileen, Shane, Anke, Alex, Jennifer, Evan, Irena, Emma, Geraldine, Sarah, Alan, Katie, Fiona, Amy, Mark, Ciara, Eilish, Ryan, Caroline, Sophie, Eamonn, Malcom, David, Chloe, Leah,
Emily, Anna, Róisín, Rachel, Michael, Niamh, John, Patrick, Adele, Grace, Sean, James, Hazel, Rebecca, Catherine, Hannah, Maire, Cian, Maire, Cillian, Edward, Caoimhe, Tomas, Sean, Thomas, Siobhan, Brendan, Eoin, Paul, Lauren,
Mairéad, John, Imelda, Jessica, Patricia, Anna, Joanne, Róisín, Michael, Molly, Irene, Thomas, Damien, Sean, Mary, Conor, Gregory, John, Christine, Ava, Anne, Catherine, Patrick, Matthew, Gerry, Cillian, Maureen, Darragh, Kathy, Oisín,
Shane, Shane, Marianne, Alex, Anna, Ivan, Síle, Evan, John, Emma, Michael, Sarah, Andrew, Eoin, Jill, Katie, Mary, Amy, Nicola, Ciara, Adam, Ryan, Frances, Sean, Padraig, Robert, Michael, Conor, Paul, Sophie, Margaret, Malcom, Joan,
Chloe, Rosemary, Leah, Ella, Eoin, Emily, Rachel, Ivan, Niamh, Patrick, Áine, Grace, John, James, Matt, Rebecca, Paula, Hannah, Craig, Sarah, Katie, Amy, Ciara, Ryan, Sophie, Malcolm, Chloe, Leah, Ella, Emily, Rachel, Niamh, Patrick,
Grace, Cillian, James, Cian, Caoimhe, Sean, Siobhan, Eoin, Lauren, John, Eoin, Anna, Deirdre, Róisín, Sean, Anna, Ian, Molly, Mark, Mary, Emma, Paddy, Kevin, Elizabeth, Rebecca, Philip, Cian, Caoimhe, Eilish, Sean, John, Anna, Craig,
Molly, Thomas, Jessica, John, Dave, Catherine, Matthew, Simon, Oisín, Sean, Conor, Eoin, Alex, Evan, Emma, Sarah, Katie, Ciara, Cillian, Robert, Ryan, Sophie, Malcolm, Chloe, Leah, Ella, Ivan, Patrick, Eoin, Grace, James, Peader,
Cillian, Hannah, Cian, Paula, Katie, Robert, Ciara, Sean, Sophie, Maura, Leah, Betty, Emily, Ann, Niamh, Jean, Grace, Eilish, James, Hannah, Cian, Michael, Peader, Caoimhe, Eilish, Sean, Siobhan, Emma, Tomas, Madison, Helen, Emily,
Isabella, Sophia, Olivia, Abigail, Hailey, Adrienne, Sarah, Ian, Lily, Brian, Chloe, Gerard, Grace, Claire, Brendan, Patrick, Frank, Samantha, Zoe, Michael, Dylan, Jackson, Anna, Craig, Elizabeth, Christopher, Isabelle, Avery, Julia, Megan,
Britney, Morgan, Christopher, Jasmine, Katherine, Michael, Allison, Áine, Arianna, Robbie, Gabriella, Bill, Brooke, Victoria, Claire, Cillian, Don, Audrey, Rebecca, Shannon, Alexandra, Sophie, Madeline, Amelia, Caroline, Leah, Eamonn
Michael, Aubrey, Gabrielle, Jessica, Charlotte, Justin, Dominic, Ian, Jennifer, Gracie, Anne, Molly, Peader, Lucy, George, Amanda, Séan, Nicole, Susie, Cillian, Leon, Marissa, Juliana, Bailey, Liam, Thomas, Layla, Aiden, Jacob, Hilary,
Sean, Ryan, Matthew, Tomas, Jack, Noah, Hazel, Nicholas, Joshua, Andrew, Michael, Dylan, Connor, Jackson, Hazel, Nathan, William, Liz, Daniel, Gavin, Evan, Luke, Joseph, Iris, Margaret, Fred, Mary, Anne, Patricia, Naoise, Blake,
Anke, Jennifer, Irena, Geraldine, Alan, Fiona, Mark, Eilish, Caroline, Frances, Padraig, Michael, Paul, Margaret, Joan, Edward, Tomas, Thomas, Brendan, Paul, Mairéad, Imelda, Patricia, Joanne, Eamonn, Anne, Maire, Maureen, Kathy,
Shane, Marianne, Anna, Síle, John, Michael, Andrew, Jill, Mary, Nicola, Adam, David, Paul, Brendan, Anthony, Cathy, James, Eileen, Michael, John, Adele, Sean, Hazel, Catherine, Michael, Irene, Damien, Mary, Gregory, Christine, Anne,
Patrick, Gerry, Ann, Marie, Barry, Danielle, Oliver, Bernie, Christopher, Dáibhí, Helen, Jill, Rosemary, Áine, John, Matt, Paula, Craig, Eoin, Deirdre, Sean, Ian, Mark, Mary, Paddy, Elizabeth, Philip, Dave, Paula, Robert, Sean, Maura, Eoin,
Simon, Áine, Robbie, Michael, Jennifer, Adrienne, Ian, Brian, Gerard, Claire, Don, Jean, Ann, Bill, Betty, Anne, George, Sean, Susie, Frank, Yvette, Liz, Madeline, Hilary, Liam, Anne, Mary, Niamh, Jas, Elaine, John, Patrick, Maeve,
Declan, Martin, Margo, Ingrid, Shannon, Joan, Seamus, Patrick, Shona, John, Tom, Ger, David, Fiona, Caroline, John, Nick, Patrick, Nuala, Frances, Keith, Daniel, Shane, Bridget, Mary, Micheál, Ciara, Gearóid, Eugene, Dion, Leslie, Lelia,
Helen, Catherine, Anne, Joseph, Mary, Susan, Kate, Berna, Eadhmonn, Michael, Paul, David, Leon, Ciara, Edel, Carole, Ken, Reenagh, Niamh, Frank, Ian, Evelyn, Martin, Colette, Paul, Ross, Emer, David, Bernie, Eve, Donnie, Alan, Paul,
Liam, Monica, Breege, James, Patsy, Patrick, John, Caroline, Michelle, Frances, Jedel, Claire, Madeline, Bernie, Giuliano, Jane, Aisling, Dearbhla, Patrick, Bernadette, Tom, Fionán, Róisín, Pauric, Emma, Mary, Val, Mark, Anne, Pat,
Philomena, Seamus, Paul, Mick, Brenda, Edel, Kate, Edelle, Fionán, Seosamh, Susan, Fiona, Miriam, Helen, Karen, Elizabeth, Una, Ian, Mary-Rose, Rachel, Tara, Valerie, Ruth, Peader, Anthony, Declan, Antoinette, Michele, Clodagh,
Mary, Donal, Lisa, Olive, Paul, Gillian, Oliver, Fiona, Clodagh, Ciarán, Ray, Eamon, Nicola, Philip, Emma, Katia, Ann, Graham, Regina, Joan, Sara, Martina, Orla, Sarah, Áine, Orla, Gerard, Deirdre, Hilary, Ann-Marie, Anne, Yvonne,
Gráinne, John, Michael, James, John, James, Tony, Louise, Oran, Bill, Ciara, Noreen, Tara, David, Patrick, Magdalena, John, Alan, Fiona, Cian, Caoimhe, Barry, Sean, James, Keith, Eoin, John, Keith, Anna, Eilish, Róisín, Molly, Thomas,
Eilish Jessica, John, Ava, Matthew, Maura, Darragh, Oisín, Sean, Shane, Alex, Evan, Áine, Emma, Hazel, Sarah, Katie, Barry, Amy, Ciara, Eamonn, Cillian, Ryan, Sophie, Malcolm, Chloe, Leah, Ella, Emily, Cillian, Patrick, Eoin, Grace,
James, Cillian, Rebecca, Hannah, Cian, Edward, Sarah, Katie, Kim, Ciara, Patsy, Ryan, Sophie, Malcolm, Chloe, Leah, Ella, Emily, Rachel, Grace, James, Shona, Rebecca, Hazel, Hannah, Mary, Michael, Jas, Sean, Siobhan, Shannon,
Lauren, Fred, Emma, Colette, Ava, Deirdre, Emily, Isabella, Dearbhla, Olivia, Edward, Abigail, Patsy, Hailey, Hazel, Hannah, Sarah, Shannon, Lily, Ella, Lauren, Grace, Brendan, Patrick, Sam, Samantha, Natalie, Zoe, Andrew, Michael,
Dylan, Connor, Jackson, Anna, Elizabeth, Isabelle, Avery, Julia, Megan, Morgan, Jasmine, Katherine, Patrick, Allison, Kylie, Arianna, Gabriella, Margaret, Rebecca, Katie, Carole, Alexandra, Sophie, Helen, Robert, Ivan, Eamonn, Cian,
Michael, Helen, Sean, Helen, Eoin, Lauren, Philomena, Emma, Ava, Carole, Emily, Jennifer, Isabella, Hazel, Olivia, Abigail, Shannon, Hannah, Áine, Madeline, Barry, Lily, Ella, Chloe, Mary, Lauren, Grace, Brendan, Patrick, Sam, Peader,
Samantha, Natalie, Zoe, Andrew, Dylan, Connor, Jackson, Anna, Elizabeth, Isabelle, Avery, Julia, Megan, Morgan, Katherine, Patrick, Allison, Kylie, Arianna, Jordan, Gabriella, Brooke, Eugene, Victoria, Claire, Reenagh, Cillian, Abbey,
Audrey, Rebecca, Katie, Craig, Alexandra, Sophie, Eamonn, Kate, Caroline, Leah, Aubrey, Lillian, Carole, Gabrielle, Christopher, Jessica, Charlotte, Justin, Patsy, Dominic, Ian, Jenna, Shona, Gracie, Jennifer, Alexa, Lucy, Ellie, Amanda,
Nevaeh, Nicole, Maggie, Britney, Cillian, Jennifer, Jada, Orla, Erin, Colette, Liam, Edward, Thomas, Layla, Aiden, Jacob, Ryan, Dearbhla, Matthew, Jack, Maura, Noah, Nicholas, Joshua, Andrew, Michael, Dylan, Shona, Connor, Jackson,
Alexander, Áine, Nathan, William, Eilish, James, Daniel, Gavin, Fred, Evan, Luke, Joseph, Christopher, Colette, Anthony, Jennifer, Owen, Lucas, Philomena, Christian, John, Sean, Britney, David, Samuel, Ray, Alex, Jordan, Liam, Thomas,
Justin, Dominic, Ian, Colin, Adam, Isaac, Max, Kyle, Aaron, Henry, Eilish, Steven, Will, Sam, Ray, Julian, Drew, Ben, Anne, Ronan, Claire, David, Brian, Eugene, Michael, Cian, Philomena, John, Anna, Mary, Róisín, Peader, Thomas,
Christopher, Sean, Peader, Conor, Paul, Orla, Gavin, Anna, James, Daniel, Garry, Gearóid, Cian, Luke, Aaron, Michael, Ryan, David, Hazel, Thomas, Patrick, Oisín, Shane, Alex, Liam, Ciarán, Emma, Niamh, Tara, Lucy, Ciara, Orla, Nora,
Paula, Orla, Jessica, Ian, Jenna, Gregory, Gracie, Alexa, Ray, Molly, Maura, Lucy, Ellie, Shannon, Nevaeh, Nicole, Ray, Cillian, Shannon, Angelina, Erin, Cillian, Jennifer, Marissa, Juliana, Bailey, Jennifer, Liam, Layla, Aiden, Jacob, Sean,
Ryan, Matthew, Noah, Hazel, Nicholas, Joshua, Logan, Michael, Connor, Shannon, Conor, Luke, Aaron, Michael, Philomena, Aoife, Lucy, Jamie, Ben, Eoin, Orla, Thomas, Jessica, Fred, John, Edward, Ava, Catherine, Margaret, Matthew,
Jennifer, Darragh, Eilish, Oisín, Shane, Alex, Evan, Gearóid, Emma, Christopher, Sophie, Malcolm, Shannon, Rachel, Niamh, Eilish, Patrick, Grace, James, Rebecca, Hannah, Cian, Cillian, Caoimhe, Sean, Siobhan, Eugene, Lauren, John,
Jessica, Anna, Róisín, Molly, Thomas, Carole, Sean, Conor, Ava, Catherine, Ray, Matthew, Darragh, Shane, Alex, Ivan, Emma, Sarah, Carole, Eoin, Katie, Amy, Ciara, Orla, Sean, Conor, Malcolm, Eamonn, Chloe, Leah, Ella, Eoin, Britney,
Emily, Rachel, Ivan, Patrick, Shannon, James, Hannah, Cian, Sarah, Fiona, Amy, Ciara, Ryan, Philomena, Sophie, Chloe, Leah, Emily, Rachel, Carole, Niamh, Patrick, Eilish, Grace, James, Christopher, Eoin, Lauren, Britney, John, Anna,
Anna, Molly, Deirdre, Thomas, Jessica, John, Emma, Rebecca, Hannah, Cian, Sean, Chloe, Leah, Ella, Ivan, Emily, Áine, Cillian, Rachel, Hilary, Niamh, Eoin, James, Hannah, Cian, Sarah, Katie, Amy, Ciara, Ray, Ryan, Sophie, Malcolm,
Chloe, Gearóid, Leah, Ella, Emily, Rachel, Fred, Niamh, Patrick, Grace, Eugene, James, Rebecca, Hannah, Britney, Cian, Michael, Jennifer, Caoimhe, Sean, Eugene, Eoin, Emily, Ann-Marie, Sophia, Abigail, Hailey, Lily, Ella, Lauren,
Kaylee, Patrick, Sam, Natalie, James, Andrew, Michael, Dylan, John, Anna, Gráinne, Yvonne, Katherine, Patrick, Jordan, Gabriella, Victoria, Claire, Katie. Everyone has a right to a place they can call home.
Annual Report 2006 – Finding a Way Home
Foreword – Declan Jones, Chief Executive 02
The Journey Home – Sr. Stanislaus Kennedy 03
About Focus Ireland 04
The Stages of a Journey Within Homelessness 05
Crisis Services 09
Transitional Services 17
Services for Settlement 29
Housing Provision Strategy 33
Advocacy 34
Fundraising 39
Human Resources 42
Developments for 2007 43
Service List 44
Directors Report and Financial Statements 49
Our Supporters 80
Contact Us 83
Everyone has the right
to a place they can call home.
Focus Ireland - Annual Report 2006 
FFoorreewwoorrdd
There are many causes of homelessness but for our staff and we have expanded our
the effects always remain the same. The loss services in Dublin for this vulnerable group.
associated with homelessness is evident in Work also started on a pilot in-reach
the lives of everyone who has experienced it. programme for young people leaving prison
This is true from the youngest child who has and 2006 also saw the beginning of the
no place to play, to the older man or woman expansion and refurbishment of our
who is lonely and afraid. SPOKES education and training programme
for young people.
Focus Ireland believes that the problem of
homelessness in Ireland is solvable. We have Making home a reality for 2,00 households
a track record of working to understand the remains top of our strategic commitments
2006 also saw us working hard to
environment and are committed to trying to working towards December 200. At present
raise awareness and understanding of
implement positive change within it. we have already achieved over 25% of
homelessness. Our Festival of Home
this target through building, buying and
Conference and Exhibition in November
The past 5 years have been the most partnership schemes such as the Rental
stimulated debate on the issues surrounding
prosperous in Ireland’s history. The annual Assistance Scheme (RAS). This includes the
homelessness in the public and political
Wealth of the Nation report by the Bank addition of 05 units of accommodation
arena. Meanwhile, our innovative Hearth
of Ireland shows Ireland per capita as the to our own housing stock during 2006.
exhibition at the Irish Museum of Modern
second richest country in the world. It is a Our commitment to helping people to find
Art bought together Focus Ireland, IMMA
sad indictment of successive Governments’ appropriate long term accommodation
staff and our customers. This event was a
commitment to end poverty that was also furthered during the year by our
huge success in raising public understanding
homelessness and the number of people successful tender to provide a new tenancy
of the meaning of home and also in
without a secure home has nearly doubled support and settlement service in Kilkenny.
empowering people using our services.
over this time.
We also remain committed to partnership
We always strive for excellence both in
Official figures show over 43,000 households projects, both in the development of a
the services we provide for our customers
on local authority housing waiting lists today strategy that will serve all those who
and the services we provide to our other
compared to 23,000 in 99 - with some are at risk or have become homeless
stakeholders including board members,
5,000 people homeless in 2006 compared to (Homeless Action Plan 2007 - 200), and
volunteers and donors. In 2006 our 2005
2,700 in 99. Unfortunately children remain in the implementation of both housing
Annual Report won the Leinster Society’s
among the innocent victims of poverty and day service projects that will provide
Published Accounts Award in the non-
with more than 90,000 living in consistent relief for thousands of people. For Instance,
profit sector, and our Christmas Campaign
poverty in Ireland. Meanwhile UNICEF 2006 saw the reorganisation of our
- “Without Your Home You’re Lost”,
research recently ranked Ireland as 22nd out working relationship with the HSE in the
won a silver award at the Irish Direct
of 25 OECD countries in terms of the care of area of youth homelessness to the Crisis
Marketing Awards.
our children. Ireland is a small country of 4.3 intervention Service partnership. This is a
million people, no bigger than a large British day service for people under 8 years of
Looking forward to challenges ahead, all of
city. The problem is not a numbers one. age who are either homeless or at risk of
us at Focus Ireland never forget that our
becoming homeless.
work would not be possible without the
Homelessness and the lack of access to
support of private and public organisations
appropriate long-term accommodation is a While there is much Focus Ireland can do
and individuals who share our vision that
structural problem. Focus Ireland consistently alone and in partnerships, change at a policy
everyone has a right to a place they can
sees people with complex needs coming level is fundamental to creating a future
call home.
from specific geographic locations and without homelessness. Again, this year, the
similar economic and social groups. If we MakeRoom Alliance established between
Yours sincerely
want to end homelessness, interested parties Focus Ireland, The Society of St. Vincent de
must examine all areas of inequality in Paul, Threshold and the Simon Communities
society and find the will to change things of Ireland - has made a clear statement: that
once and for all. homelessness is serious but solvable, if policy
is changed. This campaign has ensured these
Declan Jones
We are proud of what Focus Ireland has issues remained on the political agenda over
Chief Executive
achieved over the past year. Young people the year.
Focus Ireland
leaving state care remained a major concern
 Focus Ireland - Annual Report 2006
The Journey Home
Nobody chooses to become homeless. With the absence of social housing, what are that conjours up – we might begin to get
Though that may seem like an obvious meant to be temporary measures – hostels, an idea. There are 43,000 on housing lists at
statement, the reactions, responses, B&Bs, transition housing – become a way present which means many, many people are
provisions and supports encountered by of life, with an enormous emotional impact, experiencing that insecurity, fear and loss of
those seeking help, often make them feel especially on families with children. self esteem.
as if they have brought it upon themselves.
In today’s Ireland finding, having and A home isn’t a building, it’s an extension of
This is tragic in many ways. To begin with, it keeping a home is complex and challenging the people or person that live in it. People
belies the extraordinary resourcefulness and and those coming out of the cycle of in need of a home need support as they
resilience of people faced with homelessness. homelessness are ill equipped for it. This is go through the transition period so that
Whether parents, single adults or children, where Focus Ireland’s services help people they will be ready when a home becomes
we see the most extraordinary ingenuity find the inner resources and ability to set up available. The longer people are in temporary
and determination people demonstrate in and manage their new home. situations, the longer the human right of a
trying to hold onto their homes or find their home is on hold.
own alternatives. Through the provision of these services,
which have been created with and in reponse
After striving so hard, facing the reality of to the practical needs of people who are
homelessness is a crushing experience. In a homeless, we have developed models for
very short time self confidence, self respect solutions to homelessness. Models which Sr. Stanislaus Kennedy
and self esteem can be eroded. Pride and have been which adopted and developed Life President
dignity can quickly turn to defeat and, the further by other organisations and statuatory
longer people are homeless, the harder it is bodies. Recognising the need for good quality
to restore these essential human qualities. emergency and long term housing our latest
model of service focuses on the provision of
No two situations are the same, all are permanent homes, we have made this the
horrific. With each new story I hear, I ask cornerstone of our latest strategy – “A home
myself if I would have the resilience to a day for thousands who are homeless”.
survive what I’ve heard.
Ireland needs good quality emergency
A proper place to call home is a basic human housing with practical supports and
right. A basic right, in the sense that once appropriate long-term availability. We need
it’s taken away, other rights go with it: support services that will help people as they
education, a place to cook, privacy, shelter, move from shelters, to transition housing, to
security and safety. long-term housing. Above all, we need the
process to move quickly, so that we can raise
Once a person becomes homeless, they are hopes and preserve dignity.
at the bottom of the ladder and the first
rung of that ladder is the hardest to reach. It’s impossible for those of us who have
Lack of self esteem combined with lack never experienced homelessness to visualise
of resources can lead one to feel at best the experience. Perhaps if we try to imagine
invisible, at worst scorned. being a child, at night, lost in a strange city
– with the fear, helplessness and insecurity
 Focus Ireland - Annual Report 2006 Focus Ireland - Annual Report 2006 3
AFAocbbusoo Irueulattn dFF ioso acc huuousss i InIrgr eeanlldaa hnnomddelessness
charity working to prevent people becoming,
remaining or returning to homelessness
Focus Ireland is a housing and homelessness charity working to prevent people becoming,
through the provision of quality services,
remaining or returning to homelessness through the provision of quality services, supported
supported housing, research and advocacy.
housing, research and advocacy. Founded in 985 by Sr. Stanislaus Kennedy, we work with
Founded in 985 by Sr. Stanislaus Kennedy,
single adults, families and young people believing everyone has a right to a place they can
we work with single adults, families and
call home which is safe, secure, affordable and appropriate to their needs.
young people believing everyone has a right
to a place they can call home which is safe,
secure, affordable and appropriate to their
needs.
FMoicsusiso Inreland is a housing and CObujrercetinvets Directors VSaelucersetary
homelessness charity working Focus Ireland’s objectives are to: Focus Ireland’s models of service provision
Focus Ireland aims to advance the rights of Sr Stanislaus Kennedy (Life President) Ms Evelyn Fitzpatrick
tpoeo pplree ovuet-notf -phoemoep lteo lbiveec ino ma pilnacge, they Mr Desmond Byrne (Chairman) are dictated by the needs of our customers.
rcaelml haominei nthgr oourg hr eqtuualritnyi nsegrv ticoe s, research M• sr eTsrpuodni Dd etvoe trheeu xn eeds of people out- WReeg biesltieevree tdha Ot tfhfie cqeuality of service
of-home and those at risk of becoming delivery is as important as the kind of service
hanodm adevloecsascny.ess through the Mr Patrick Griffin (Retired 29//2006)
homeless, through a range of appropriate w9-e 2pr Hovigidhe S. Ttrheeerte are eight primary values
provision of quality services, Dr Valerie Richardson
high quality services tChhartis utcnhduerrcphin our models of service delivery,
sVuispipoonrted housing, research and Mr John O’Haire
• provide emergency, transitional and long- bDoutbhl into 8 o ur staff and our customers:
aFodcvuos Icrealcanyd. bFeoliuevneds ethda ti nev 1er9yo8n5e bhays Sthre. Mr William K Nowlan
term accommodation for people out-of- Registered No: 0649
Mr Paul Finnerty
Srigthatn tios laa pulasc eK tehneny ecadlly h, owmee .work with
home •C hraersitpaebclte Status No: CHY 7220
Mr Matthew Walsh (Retired 29//2006)
single adults, families and young • campaign and lobby for the rights of • safety
Ms Helen Kilroy (Appointed 29/03/2006)
pOebojepclet ibveeslieving everyone has a people out-of-home and the prevention of •B aancckeessrisbility
Mr David Martin (Appointed 25/0/2006)
rFoigcuhst I rteola nad p’sl oabcjeec ttihveesy a rcea tno: call home homelessness • empowerment
Bank of Ireland
w• h reiscphon ids tsoa tfhee, nseeecdus roef ,p aeoffpoler oduatb-le Solicitors •A llsietedw Irairsdhs Bhaipnks plc
anodf- haopmper oanpdr itahtoese taot rtishke oifr bneecoemdisn.g • quality
permanent tsb
Arthur Cox
homeless, through a range of appropriate • partnership
Anglo Irish Bank Corporation
Ferrys Solicitors
high quality services • integration
Mission McCann FitzGerald Ulster Bank Limited
• provide emergency, transitional and long-
Focus Ireland aims to advance the rights of Bank of Scotland (Ireland) Ltd
term accommodation for people out-of-
people out-of-home to live in a place they
Trustees
calhl ohmomee through quality services, research Auditors
• campaign and lobby for the rights of Sr Marie Helen Hicks (Retired 30//2005)
and advocacy.
PricewaterhouseCoopers
people out-of-home and the prevention of Mr Dermot Hussey
Chartered Accountants and Registered
homelessness Mr Donal Nevin
Vision
Auditors
Sr. Sheila Wall (Appointed 30//2005)
Focus Ireland believes that everyone has the
Wilton Place
rVigahltu teos a place they call home.
Dublin 2
Chief Executive
Focus Ireland’s models of service provision Ireland
are dictated by the needs of our customers. Mr Declan Jones
We believe that the quality of service Architects
delivery is as important as the kind of service
Gerry Cahill
we provide. There are eight primary values
CJ Falconer & Associates
that underpin our models of service delivery,
both to our staff and our customers:
• respect
• safety
• accessibility
• empowerment
• stewardship
• quality
• partnership
• integration
 Focus Ireland - Annual Report 2006
Crisis | Transition | Settlement -
The Stages of a Journey Within Homelessness
Homelessness and inadequate housing Typically the second stage is a stage
affects people of all ages; from single of transition and focuses on stabilisation
adults to young people; even children whether it is in short-term accommodation,
within families who are homeless, each participation in transitional programmes
with their own individual needs. The or participating in training or education
work of Focus Ireland centres on helping programmes.
these men, women and children move
out homelessness. The third stage concentrates on settlement;
it’s at this stage that our customers are
Through our research and experience offered a long-term home whether it is with
we have identified different stages to Focus Ireland or other voluntary housing
homelessness. From this understanding providers, the local authority or in the private
Focus Ireland has developed models of rented sector. Support is often key to the
service which address the differing successful transition from homelessness
needs of our customer groups. to home. Tenants are provided with the
assistance they require to live independently
Homelessness is rarely sudden; people will in our many housing projects throughout
often experience a stage of crisis where they the country. Those who are housed in local
are at risk of homelessness and it is at this authority or private rented accommodation
stage where services targeted at prevention are linked in with our Tenancy Support and
can help stop them becoming homeless. Settlement Teams who provide them with
The Focus Ireland Tenancy Support and the emotional and practical support they
Settlement Team support households need to help them to settle into their new
who are at risk of homelessness or those homes and communities.
who are finding it difficult to sustain their
tenancy by providing the supports necessary Not everyone who comes to us will
to help them maintain their home. experience all stages. However through our
models of service within each stage, we can
For those who do become homeless we have provide people with the support to assist
a variety of day services which offer places of them negotiate their individual journey
safety and comfort as well as care facilities through homelessness to a permanent
and activities. These services also provide home that is safe, secure and adequate
access to key workers who provide advice, for their needs.
Information and support and help customers
plan a way forward.

Focus Ireland - Annual Report 2006 5
 Focus Ireland - Annual Report 2006
 Focus Ireland - Annual Report 2006 Focus Ireland - Annual Report 2006 7
Malcolm

When my parents moved away from Dublin, I moved in with my fiancé’s family until we got a house. I
had been working with my father but we had a row. He gave me some customers so that I could set up my
own business.
It went well until I discovered I was being ripped off by my staff, who were using my gear to set up in
competition with me. Then there was a fault with an alarm I was agent for and it had to be recalled. The
company went bust but I had to carry the cost of refitting the faulty units.
The pressure made a rocky marriage worse. She was violent and had a drink problem. She tried to stab
me a couple of times. The second time was very serious and that’s more or less when I become homeless.
I went back and forth to England, then I tried working with my father again but it didn’t work out. I
ended up homeless from March to December. It was the worst time of my life. I was sleeping in the car
up in Sally’s Gap. No one knew, not even the kids. I’d pick them up for our days out and have to pretend
everything was OK.
The Homeless Persons Unit had suggested a hostel but I didn’t like the idea and stayed in my car. I started
going to the Focus Ireland coffee shop, the food was good and cheap. Then I got talking to people there.
Emma advised me to go up to a hostel nearby. When I went there they told me to come back at 4pm sharp
if I wanted a place. It was my son’s birthday and I was supposed to be taking him out. I felt so guilty, I
had one eye on the clock so that I could be sure to get back to the hostel on time. But I couldn’t let on to
him.
I’m still in the hostel but Focus Ireland have helped me get my name on an apartment. I can’t wait. I
won’t believe it until I have the key and I move in. They’ll have to take me out in a wooden box.
 Focus Ireland - Annual Report 2006
Crisis Services
Focus Ireland provides various The Crisis Team and Advice and Aylward Green, Finglas provides families
services aimed at meeting the Information Service worked with over 800 in crisis with short-term accommodation.
immediate needs of people in people in 2006 (generating ,336 queries Families can stay in the accommodation
the early stages of their journey which, in turn, resulted in ,67 referrals). for nine months and are given the support
The majority of these were related to they need to help them address the Issues
back home. These services provide
general homelessness issues (payments of which have led them to become homeless.
advice and information to people
rent allowance, information on services etc). Crèche facilities are available to families
in crisis as well as providing a
However, over 300 were referrals directly to with young children, whilst the Schoolmate
place of safety and welcome
the hostels or through HPU/night bus/ project, funded by the AIB Better Ireland
where good quality, inexpensive
freephone services. The team case managed Programme, provides school going children
food is available.
249 people (roughly 60% male) and assisted with the opportunity to get help with their
77 households to find a home. homework, as well as participate in activities
including swimming and drama. The
Our Coffee Shop continues to be a haven
presentation of families with very complex
for many adults who find themselves The Outreach & Extension Team works
needs that require intensive support and
without a place to go during the day. both on the street and in the Extension day
flexibility from the project staff continued
Inexpensive meals, advice, information and service. The Street Outreach Team works
to be the trend in 2006. This service was
support as well as a programme of activities with people who are sleeping rough, building
evaluated by the Homeless Agency this year
are available to everyone who crosses the relationships with them and helping them to
with very positive feedback on the service
door. 4,000 people used the coffee shop move away from the streets by encouraging
and the quality standards it operated.
during the year, the majority of whom them to use other services that will help
were men and over 26 years of age. them out of homelessness. The Extension
Service provides support and practical
facilities including laundry and showers for
young people aged between 6 and 25 years.
Each person attending the Extension is linked
in with a keyworker who will help them
address their problems so they can move
out of homelessness.
 Focus Ireland - Annual Report 2006 Focus Ireland - Annual Report 2006 9