Kilkenny's Good Shepherd Centre to lead new regional support service for the homeless across Midlands

The Good Shepherd Centre (GSCK) is expanding its homeless services into four additional counties in the Midlands by providing a new ‘Regional Support Service’.

The service targets individuals and families to prevent homelessness, helps them settle into new homes, and supports people with complex needs. Established across Carlow, Kilkenny, and Tipperary, it has now commenced a new service for people who are homeless and at risk of homelessness in counties Laois, Offaly, Longford, and Westmeath with the support of Section 10 funding from the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government.

The urgency of this service is highlighted by the latest Department of Housing figures for September, which show a record 14,760 people living in emergency accommodation, including 4,561 children. Recruitment of staff for the new service is underway with positions available for four tenancy sustainment officers, two intensive case managers, two service operatives, and a service manager.

“We’ve had to increase our capacity and skills base because of the sheer demand from urban and rural homelessness. People out there are suffering from a lack of access to private rental properties and affordable housing,” said Noel Sherry, CEO of the GSCK.

“High-quality support services are needed to help people find solutions when they’re homeless.”

Noel Sherry also emphasised the importance of this expanded role: “Our ability to provide services that either prevent or assist people in exiting homeless services is a key priority for us and our sister organisation, Tar Isteach Housing. With the continued rise in homelessness, it is vital that we offer robust and effective support to those in need, ensuring they have the resources and guidance necessary to rebuild their lives.”

The centre will provide comprehensive services designed to prevent homelessness and support individuals and families in transitioning out of emergency accommodation. These services include life skills training, tenancy management, and homemaking, ensuring a coordinated and holistic response from community-based services in health, addiction, mental health, education and training, family support, and advocacy for housing and essential services.

Liam Keane, Director of the GSCK, expressed his gratitude for this significant appointment: “It’s a privilege to accept this role on behalf of the four Midlands local authorities and the HSE. In recent years, as we’ve witnessed the increase in homeless numbers, we have been developing our capacity and range of expertise across housing solutions and support services to address urban and rural homelessness for some of the most marginalised people across our communities.”