Download the 2002 Annual report here - Focus Ireland

In 2002, as in previous years, the
tragedy of family homelessness
continued to be a major issue
confronting Focus Ireland.
The practice of using emergency Bed
and Breakfast accommodation to
house families in crisis situations
showed little sign of abating despite
recurring calls on government by
Focus Ireland and other members of
the voluntary sector to cease this
form of accommodation which is
highly inappropriate to family life
and extremely detrimental to the
health and wellbeing of both children
and parents.
During 2002 our services found
themselves working with families who
are spending hugely increased periods
of time in B & B accommodation; it is
now common for families to be
housed this way for eighteen months
or more. This phenomenon is
impacting on all services, for example
the Focus Ireland Childcare Centre in
Johns Lane West saw a number of
children who spent over a year
attending the Centre, a service
designed as an emergency resource
during the weeks or a few months a
family was homeless.
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