Focus Ireland launches campaign to help prevent homelessness in Clare and Tipperary
- Charity urges families and individuals facing potential tenancy termination to contact their Advice & Information Service.
- By contacting the helpline on 01 6712555, or visiting focusireland.ie the charity can help those at risk explore their options before the situation escalates
- Campaign is the latest initiative of Focus Ireland and Bord Gáis Energy’s 10-year partnership
Focus Ireland has launched a new advertising campaign to help prevent homelessness in Counties Clare and Tipperary, with the support of funding from their corporate partner Bord Gáis Energy. Focus Ireland’s partnership with Bord Gáis Energy was established 10 years ago and, in that time, has supported over 8,500 families experiencing homelessness or at risk of losing their home.
This initiative will help support families and individuals in private rented accommodation in Clare and Tipperary to recognise the early warning signs or “red flags”. Understanding these signs can help prevent a housing problem becoming a housing crisis. With the alarming rise in housing challenges, Focus Ireland seeks to equip people with the knowledge and resources needed through its Advice and Information Service helpline and dedicated webpage. This includes sourcing legal advice, arranging mediation with the landlord and engaging with local authorities if required.
Conor Roe, Head of Advice & Information Services with Focus Ireland said: “We are urging people in Counties Clare and Tipperary to contact our Advice & Information services and hopefully our staff can help to prevent a housing problem from becoming a homeless crisis. The most important thing is for people to call us for advice and support as soon as possible.”
He added: “Focus Ireland operates advice and information services across these counties, in collaboration with local authorities in the region. While a lot of the work of these services is to support people who have become homeless to navigate services and make the earliest exit from homelessness, we are also committed to increasing the amount of prevention work that we carry out as part of our support for Housing For All and the regional homeless plan. A heartfelt thank you must go to our long-term corporate partner, Bord Gáis Energy, whose funding and valuable support played a key role in making this campaign a reality.”
“This advertising campaign is to address what I know is a common experience - that too often people contact us too late for us to help them avoid homelessness. So, as part of our push towards addressing this and having a greater impact on preventing homelessness we have decided to promote the advice service more actively to people who may be facing eviction.”
By supporting Focus Ireland and its public awareness initiative, Bord Gáis Energy aims to highlight the importance of early intervention and the significant impact it can have on preventing homelessness.
Meadhbh Quinn, Head of Marketing with Bord Gáis Energy, added: ‘Homelessness is a key issue facing our society, and through our long-standing partnership we’re committed to supporting Focus Ireland in their efforts to help those experiencing homelessness or at risk of losing their homes. We greatly value the work Focus Ireland does in supporting families and individuals throughout the country and our partnership has already supported over 8,500 families experiencing or at risk of entering homelessness.
Early intervention is vital to prevent homelessness and having the right advice and information services in place will ensure those most at risk are supported. We’re proud to fund this awareness campaign for services in Clare and Tipperary, designed to reach out to people in private rented accommodation who are vulnerable to tenancy terminations.”
Anyone who has concerns about their tenancy security can reach out through the 24/7 web form on focusireland.ie where a member of the Advice & Information team will aim to respond within 24 hours. Alternatively, they can contact Focus Ireland’s Advice & Information helpline at 01 6712555, Monday to Thursday from 9 am to 4 pm.
