Their vision is that everyone has a place they can call home. They believe this vision is as important today as when Sr Stan first founded Focus Ireland 30 years ago.
Unfortunately there are at least 5,000 people who are homeless at any one time in Ireland. Homelessness is not just about losing the roof over your head. It is about losing the sense of security, certainty and peace of mind that allows you the confidence and the comfort to be yourself, to foster relationships with friends and family and to be part of a community where you can access education, health and social services.
They, at Focus Ireland, believe that being homeless should be no more than a stage in someone’s life which they can move on from to lead a happy, healthy and fulfilling life. The demand on their services has grown year on year as the past several years of consistent austerity, unemployment, rising rents and a severe shortage of access to affordable housing took its toll. To provide an indication of their scale and reach, in 2014, 70 Focus Ireland initiatives across the country supported over 11,500 families and individuals. This represents an increase of 15% from 2013 in the amount of people they are supporting.
HISTORY
Focus Ireland was founded by Sr. Stanislaus Kennedy. Sr. Stan was involved in a research project into the lives of homeless women in Dublin, when she realised the importance of involving people, who are, or have been directly affected by homelessness, in the development of homelessness services.
In 1985, two years after the initial research Focus Point (now Focus Ireland) opened its doors in Eustace Street, Dublin. The organisation provided streetwork services to young people, advice, advocacy, information and help with finding a home as well as a warm welcoming place to meet and have a low-cost meal.
Since its foundation Focus Ireland has continued to grow and its research and advocacy work ensures that the rights of people who are homeless remain on the political agenda. In addition to its Dublin projects, it now has services and housing projects across Ireland including in Waterford, Kilkenny, Cork, Sligo and Limerick.
Transparency and Accountability at Focus Ireland
A voluntary Board of Directors steers the governance of Focus Ireland. The board members also take an active role in fundraising and contribute to the areas of the organisation in which they have the most expertise.
