Simon Communities of Ireland

Last week we published our quarterly Locked Out report to find there were only 33 properties to rent nationwide that were available through discretionary or standard HAP limits 📊   🗣️ "There is not enough accommodation. The prices are so high that sometimes when I look at the price, there is no point even to be enquiring because I am just taking someone’s time.   The one thing what would change my thinking now, well, I am still trying to think positive, but it would be permanent accommodation. Apartment, something to share house, whatever. I would take anything but to be on my own. Being on my own would give me independence. That’s what I need because I am counting on people at the moment. Independence is what everyone needs."   Read the report on our website: https://lnkd.in/esxvhbsa

The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage has released its latest report, showing that the number of men, women, and children experiencing homelessness reached 14,760 in September. Wayne Stanley, Executive Director of the Simon Communities of Ireland, said: “These will likely be the last figures released before a general election is called. If we are to turn the corner on homelessness, the next Government has to take a proactive approach, and they have to be ambitious and genuinely committed to working toward ending homelessness by 2030. We are fortunate that the Housing Commission has provided a clear and comprehensive plan for success, and that there are funds available to the next Government to implement the plan fully. This is fortunate for the political party who leads the next Government, but it also means that if they fail to seize this opportunity to address the homelessness crisis, it will be an unforgiveable dereliction of duty.” Read our full press release here: https://lnkd.in/eKPzxnsK

There is one week left to purchase prints from the Echoes of Home collection 🖼️ The pieces are currently on display at Graphic Studio Dublin until Saturday 26th. You can also order through our website until the end of the month! www.simon.ie/echoesofhome/

Earlier this week, Nat O'Connor discussed Budget 2025 in Context of Ireland's spending programmes that prevent and reduce homelessness on #SimonTalks If you missed this month's webinar, you can watch it back on our YouTube channel: https://lnkd.in/gQumw7MN

We have published the third Locked Out of the Market report of 2024 📄   This report is a snapshot study of the current rental market that reflects the lived experience of those trying to find accommodation in Ireland.   Only 33 properties were available to rent within HAP limits. This is a reduction of 23% since June. 📉   Read the report here: https://lnkd.in/esxvhbsa

Cash & Carry Kitchens provided an amazing new kitchen to one of our centers in Cork. We are very grateful for their support and corporate partnership.

📢This is your final chance to register for this morning's #SimonTalks Nat O'Connor will be join us to discuss Budget 2025 Register through the post below 👇

Yesterday evening Echoes of Home was launched. This is the fourth collection that has been released in collaboration with Graphic Studio Dublin, and supported by HLB Ireland. The collection is currently on display in the RHA until the 20th October, and will be at Graphic Studio Dublin until the 26th October. We would like to take this opportunity to thank Graphic Studio Dublin and all of the artists who have created prints, and to HLB Ireland for kindly supporting Echoes of Home. You can purchase artwork on our website at www.simon.ie/echoesofhome/

A coalition of ten voluntary health and social care service providers and charity sector representative bodies have published an open letter to the Taoiseach, Simon Harris TD, calling on the Government to implement a sustainable funding model for their sector. Pictured from left to right are: Fergal Landy, Family Resource Centres National Forum Annette Ryan, National Federation of Voluntary Bodies Phillip Watt, Mental Health Reform Dermot Murphy, Dublin Homeless Network Elaine Teague, Disability Federation of Ireland Collete Bennet, The Wheel Susan Kelly, National Community Care Network Rebecca Hamilton, Simon Communities of Ireland Stacey Lyon, National Drug and Alcohol Sector Terry Dignan, Coalition of Túsla Funded Organisations Read the open letter here: https://lnkd.in/eYpC_NmK

Our annual collaboration with Graphic Studio Dublin launches in the RHA this week! Echoes of Home features work from over 50 artists with a wide variety of skills and techniques including etching, lithography, woodblock, linocut, screenprint and photo-intaglio. “This has been a hugely rewarding initiative for us as a fundraiser and as an opportunity to promote the discussion about the homelessness crisis in Ireland. Visual art can be a powerful medium to draw awareness to serious social issues in contemporary Irish society and the need for innovation to address them. As well as raising funds for Simon Communities of Ireland, it is important that the artists receive some of the proceeds from the sales and are not donating their work for free. This serves to underline the value of the contribution artists make to Irish society.” says Wayne Stanley, Simon Communities of Ireland. Each print will be available to purchase in person at the exhibition in the RHA from 17th – 21st Oct and online at www.simon.ie/echoesofhome until 1st November. Echoes of Home is kindly supported by HLB Ireland