Although in operation since December, the Midlands’ only emergency accommodation service was officially opened in Athlone on Monday this week.
The service, the first of its kind locally, is to provide a vital first point of contact with the Midlands Simon Community for people experiencing homelessness in Westmeath.
The official opening was carried out on Monday morning by Minister for Housing, Urban Renewal and Developing Areas, Michael Finneran, in the company of service users, Simon volunteers and staff, local dignitaries, and members of the local community.
Speaking at the launch, Minister Finneran commended the great work being carried out by the Midlands Simon Community.
“I am glad to be able to confirm that, despite the extent of unavoidable financial retrenchment, I am retaining a 5 per cent increase in current account funding for accommodation and related services to address homelessness, bringing total funding for these services, including local authority contributions, to a record level of over €62 million,” said Minister Finneran.
The self-contained, modern units which make up the Emergency Accommodation Service are located in Athlone. The service, operational since December 2008, is operating at 90 per cent capacity since January 2009.
It is the only purpose-built centre for single homeless men and women in Westmeath, and will allow the Midlands Simon Community to address the health, welfare and housing needs of some of the most vulnerable people in society in a safe and appropriate environment, which will be staffed 24 hours a day.
The service is a continuation of the existing working relationship and support between the HSE, Athlone Town Council, Westmeath County Council, the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, and Midlands Simon Community, and is a unique example of inter-agency working.
According to project leader of the Emergency Accommodation Service, Angela Killion, “A service now exists within Athlone and surrounding areas to respond to the emergency accommodation needs of single people. Since the service opened we have been full 90 per cent of the time. If it was not for this service people would have to sleep rough or stay in unsuitable and/or unsafe settings.”
Development officer with the Midlands Simon Community, Cormac P Lally, also thanked the local community for their support. “We would also like to thank all our local volunteers and Friends of Simon who have helped significantly to bring us to this stage, by giving so freely of their time to help with much needed fundraising.
“All at Midlands Simon Community would also like to acknowledge and thank the Robin Hood Foundation for their extremely significant support which came at a vital time, which was another key factor in enabling the establishment of the centre.”
