McVerry Trust transforming unused buildings into homes
The Peter McVerry Trust is looking for buildings, including disused commercial premises in Westmeath to turn into living accommodation for entrenched, chronic rough sleepers. They already have five such dwellings in Westmeath – two each in Kilbeggan and Mullingar and one in Athlone with plans for 11 more in the pipeline. Addressing the monthly meeting of Westmeath County Council, the Trust’s CEO, Pat Doyle urged members to let them know of any suitable buildings saying that they would "go up any cul-de-sac if there is half a chance there is a property up there".
The key for Westmeath going forward, Mr Doyle said is conversion of disused commercial buildings into living accommodation. They have identified 11 units in Athlone, but need more. They get grants of up to €60,000 to refurbish such properties.
The Trust, under its Housing First programme provides accommodation and wrap-around supports for homeless individuals. They need one-bedroomed units - which are hard to come by - but they are actively targeting towns like Mullingar in search of disused commercial buildings for conversion, as they did in Kilbeggan. Mr Doyle said that the Trust is working with landlords and shop owners to bring disused units back into use, adding that the scheme is breathing new life into towns and is good for town renewal and Tidy Towns efforts.
The meeting heard from Mick, a middle-aged man whose life was transformed when he was taken off the streets and given a fully furnished flat. He found himself homeless after losing his job due to injury and spent three years living in a tent on the side of the Shannon in Athlone. During that time he endured three storms, one of which left him in hospital for three months with tuberculosis. He said he nearly died and was lucky to survive.
Mick told the meeting how, the day before Christmas Eve he got the keys to a fully equipped apartment and moved in for Christmas. With the support of a key worker he can now "look after myself, keep the bills paid and the fridge full". He said that getting a roof over his head gave him back his confidence – "I can hold my own after all the years of being homeless".
Mr Doyle explained that the Housing First programme which is run in partnership with the Council, provides housing first and then addresses any issues the tenant may have. He said it was rare that a tenancy would fall through.
Brian Friel, Deputy CEO, said Housing First prioritises housing over the more expensive hostel option and provides wrap-around supports to help people maintain their tenancy. They receive one to two visits a day from their key worker when they first move in, the visits easing off as the need reduces or increasing if the need arises. Mr Friel said the units are of a high quality and fully furnished and that the tenants tend to maintain them to this standard. The tenant wants for nothing when they move in and they are supported.Cllr Michael Dollard said the Peter McVerry Trust was filling a huge void in the social housing needs in Westmeath. Having worked for 40 years in the psychiatric services he could see the need for supports such as those provided under this scheme. He spoke of the difficulty in getting people into psychiatric hospitals now, adding that he was sure all Councillors must know of many people who should be in a psychiatric setting or a wrap-around setting. "It is important that people out there know there is hope," he said.
When he asked what the criteria was for inclusion in the scheme, Mr Doyle replied that it was aimed at entrenched, chronic rough sleepers, the sort you would see hanging around town, at the public toilets or the bridge. One of their first clients in Westmeath had been sleeping rough for 13 years and everyone knew him. Fifteen percent of rough sleepers take up 80% of the resources. Many of them might have been barred from hostels or other accommodation providers or might have opted out of them. Mr Doyle accepted that there are many people "sofa surfing" that are not seen as homeless yet and he said that when they had tackled the chronic homeless cases they could address this need.
Cllr Louise Heavin welcomed the news that more Housing First units were to be provided in Westmeath and endorsed the idea of providing homes first and wrap-around services thereafter.
Cllr John Shaw said that Mick’s story was very common in Mullingar and Athlone – single men dealing with criminality, substance abuse or psychiatric issues. They need wrap-around support, mental health services and support workers so they can get back into society, he said.
Cllr Hazel Smyth spoke of the many people she meets who are homeless or on the brink of homelessness, some of them with children, being bounced between different organisations. “How can we best advise these people who are in dire straits and unable to represent themselves?” she asked.
Mark Keaveney, director of services, said all homeless referrals should come to the council’s housing section which has a housing action scheme. Homeless people with complex needs are identified by them and referred to the Peter McVerry Trust.
The chairman, Cllr Ken Glynn said that he hears of new cases of homelessness every week and the Council is inundated with requests. He said that the amount of people couch surfing was rising rapidly. He said it was important that members meet with groups like the McVerry Trust to talk things out and to be assured that good work was being done behind the scenes. He also acknowledged the good work being done by the council’s housing department to help the homeless.
In reply to Cllr Frankie Keena, Mr Doyle explained that tenants pay up to 15% of their social welfare in rent or a bit more if they are working. He said that some of the key workers are social workers, some are social care workers, some have addiction expertise, some are mental health nurses. They help them manage their housekeeping and bills, put them in touch with health care services and with other agencies such as the library, FAS, literary skills providers and an activation programme towards employment.