Focus Ireland marks 30 years fighting homelessness

An event marking the 30th anniversary of the homeless charity Focus Ireland was held in Dublin on Wednesday and speakers noted how the organisation was needed today more than ever before.

Staff, volunteers and service users were in attendance at the commemoration in Meeting House Square that saw performances from the High Hopes Choir, singer/songwriter Mundy and The Voice UK star Sharon Murphy.

Speaking at the event, Sr Stanislaus Kennedy, founder and life president of the charity, praised the group’s legacy and continuing activity.

“Focus is a wonderful organisation with wonderful people working for us, as well as wonderful people coming to us for help.”

Josie Lynch, a member of the High Hopes Choir, has been receiving support from Focus for 15 years. “It’s given me a home when I never had one,” she said. “It’s given me confidence now to stand up for myself.”

On the current housing crisis, Sr Stan said “the situation has never been as bad as it is today. I could never have foreseen it, I could never even have imagined it.

“It’s out of control and it’s an emergency now. Every day we’re seeing new families becoming homeless, and the numbers are increasing.”

Chief executive of Focus Ireland, Ashley Balbirnie, said that as well as unprecedented numbers left without housing, the effects of the economic crisis were still taking a toll on many across Irish society.

“There’s effectively a whole new breed of homeless people coming into the equation, economic homeless, mainly made up of families and children.”

Both Mr Balbirnie and Sr Stan called on the Government to take immediate action to stop home repossessions, provide short-term accommodation for the recently homeless, and increase rent supplements in line with market prices.