A NEW family hub has opened in Monkstown.
The Supported Emergency Accommodation (STA), which is operated by Peter McVerry Trust in partnership with Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council, will provide Supported Temporary Accommodation for approximately 17 families with children who are currently homeless.
A spokesperson for Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council said they were delighted to open their new family hub.
“The use of commercial hotels for families is unsuitable,” the council stated. “Our new family hub will have the capacity to provide play space, cooking and laundry facilities and communal recreation space.”
The cathaoirleach of the council, Cllr Tom Murphy, added: "I'm very pleased to see that this partnership between Dún Laoghaire Rathdown and the Peter McVerry Trust will provide more suitable accommodation for families, especially at this time of year.
“Families will have access to key workers and specialist support services, which will enable them to move on from homelessness and into a more permanent housing option.”
All families will be referred via the council’s Housing Allocation Department and will have a local connection to the area, ensuring ease of access to schools and local services.
The council will have overall responsibility for this family hub while the Peter McVerry Trust will have responsibility for on-site operation and day to day management.
Catherine Keenan, Director of Housing with the council, said: "We must provide a more suitable alternative for families who are homeless in our area to ensure that they have access to local schools and support services.
“This accommodation which is funded by the Department of Housing doubles the number of accommodation units provided by us this year from 28 to 59.
“The provision of social housing is a high priority for us. We have a significant construction programme underway with nine active social housing sites across the County which will deliver 149 units of social houses over 2018 and 2019, as well as units that will be acquired via Part V delivery.
“In the meantime, this new family hub in Monkstown will provide families with the interim supports that they require.”
before they move on to a more suitable housing option."