Download the 2002 Annual report here - Focus Ireland

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Focus Ireland’s Transitional Housing Programme Prepares the Way For many people who become homeless, the lack of a home is not simply about four walls and a roof. Many people have serious issues in their lives that have contributed to them becoming homeless, and unless these can be addressed, homelessness is simply a symptom of a much deeper problem. Focus Ireland’s transitional housing programme pioneered the way for such initiatives in Ireland and the organisation currently has 40 units of transitional accommodation; houses and apartments that are offered to single people and families for a specified time period, usually about a year. During this time, participants take part in a structured programme of activities designed to aid and empower them to discover and address the reasons they became homeless. They also learn the practical elements of maintaining a home, such as cooking, budgeting, house keeping and bill-paying. Families are helped with parenting. Childcare centres and after school programmes work with the children, helping them deal with and overcome difficulties in their lives that stem from the insecurity and instability of life while their family was homeless. When families have completed the programme and are ready to move on, the Focus Ireland Community Settlement Team assists them make the change and settle into their new homes and communities. SARAH’S STORY Sarah is 20 years old and has learning difficulties. After a period of homelessness Sarah came to live in our transitional programme in George’s Hill with her young daughter. She already had an older child who was in State care and whilst living in George’s Hill she gave birth to a baby son. Unfortunately her relationship with the child’s father did not last and Sarah was left to rear the child on her own. Due to her learning difficulties Sarah had trouble interacting with her children and maintaining a home. She participated in our transitional programme for a period of nine months. During this time staff helped her to learn the skills she needed to be more assertive, maintain her home and care for her children. Sarah now has some contact with her older child. After completing the transitional programme Sarah was offered a local authority house back in her own community. Focus Ireland’s Community Settlement Team linked in with Sarah before she left the transitional programme and helped her address issues prior to the move. She is now settled in her new home with her children and receives regular visits help and support from the Community Settlement Team. 34
We are always happy when we hear success stories. Our transitional programmes have brought the same level of happiness to many people like Sarah. However, the external environment is changing and the transitional programmes are now facing what our staff describe as a ‘silt up’ in terms of move-on options for many of the transitional programme participants. This situation presented our projects and staff with new challenges, new frustration and our customers with a new sense of hopelessness. The year saw the numbers on the waiting lists rise by a staggering 24 per cent from 39,000 households in 1999 to over 48,000 in 2002. As a result of this shortage of local authority housing clients who have completed our programmes and are ready to move on with their lives have no place to move on to. It has resulted in many remaining in the programme’s accommodation for between 8 – 12 months after the programme has finished. It means those wishing to participate in the programme remain homeless longer. YOU SHOULD SEE PEOPLE WHEN THEY HEAR THEY HAVE AN INTERVIEW FOR ONE OF OUR TRANSTIONAL HOUSING PROJECTS. THEY KNOW THEY MAY NOT BE SUCCESSFUL, BUT IT’S THE FIRST, TINY, GLIMMER OF HOPE. Crisis Team Member, Focus Ireland. 35
Page 1 and 2: Annual Report & Accounts 2002 IRELA
Page 4 and 5: FOCUS IRELAND is one of the leading
Page 6 and 7: Foreword Focus Ireland has a proud
Page 9 and 10: Meeting the need 07
Page 13 and 14: Meeting the need The first port of
Page 15: THE FOCUS IRELAND COFFEE SHOP AND H
Page 18: BY TREATING PEOPLE WITH RESPECT AND
Page 22: The Extension Drop-in Centre Opens
Page 27 and 28: Meeting the need Families in Focus
Page 29 and 30: In 2002, as in previous years, the
Page 31 and 32: Happy Birthday Aylward Green Aylwar
Page 35: Meeting the need Moving on
Page 40 and 41: I’M DELIGHTED I CAME HERE, I’VE
Page 42 and 43: THE PLACES WE CALL HOME - Focus Ire
Page 45 and 46: Research, Development and Education
Page 47: Budget 2002 - a missed opportunity
Page 50 and 51: The pressure on Focus Ireland to ge
Page 53 and 54: Investing in our staff
Page 57 and 58: New in 2003

Download the 2002 Annual report here - Focus Ireland

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