Midlands homeless charity accused of leaving units empty

A hostel with 17 beds in Offaly and a house in Portlaoise for homeless people are not being used, a Laois Sinn Féin councillor has claimed.

Cllr Caroline Dwane Stanley made her claims at a meeting of the Portlaoise Municipal District where she requested urgent engagement by Laois County Council with Midlands Simon, over the charity's capacity to provide homeless services in the Midlands.

However, the charity said the plans are being finalised to put both premises into use though it did accept recruiting staff is a problem. 

She highlighted a house Lakeglen, Portlaoise intended for use by up to four homeless poeple. She also said a 17-bed centre in Tullamore for is also unoccupied. Cllr Dwane Stanley said both are managed by the Midlands Simon homless charity.

The building in Offaly was purchased in late 2020. It was previously run as a homeless facility where three people died from drug overdoses in May 2020.  

"It was left there for the Simon Community which is looking after our homeless service in the Midlands. It has been vacant since May. Residents contacted me on both sides of the house and asked us to do it up," she said.

She claims that Midlands Simon is in 'dire straits' over staff retention.

"They have lost staff. They are down to three to run the Midlands. People walked with their feet, over terms and conditions. They were overworked," she asserted.

"Clonmore House in Tullamore is a 17-bed unit at the hospital that is idle because they don't have the staff to go in and run it. 

"Sophia bought it and did a complete refurbishment and Midlands Simon were to run it...I am asking the director of services to engage with Midlands Simon and see what is going on. This house idle since May and a 17-bed unit idle. We've people in here on a daily basis who are homeless," she said.

Midlands Simon was established to support individuals, couples and families who are experiencing or who are at risk of homelessness throughout the Midlands Counties of Laois, Longford, Offaly and Westmeath. Their aim is to is to eliminate homelessness.

Their CEO Tony O'Riordan gave this response to the Leinster Express / Laois Live on Cllr Dwane Stanley's comments. He commented on the new Regional Supported Temporary Accommodation Service in Tullamore.

"This is a new service and it will be a major resource for the Midlands Region accepting referrals from people in need of crisis accommodation across the region. It will be staffed 24/7. Plans are being finalised to open this service," he said.

His statement said the local County Councils are not putting this service in Tullamore out for re-tendering. 

On the house in Portlaoise he said it will be ready before Christmas.

"A maintenance team/contractor has been appointed to do the repairs and this will be ready to re-let soon and a family will move into their new home before Christmas. This family will be referred to us by Laois County Council from their Housing list," the charity states.

On their staffing, the Midlands Simon CEO admits it is a challenge.

"The issue of staffing is a challenge for all sectors in society but we thankfully recruited new staff recently one who was a former employee and was happy to return to work with us," Mr O'Riordan said.

Former postman failed to deliver post in Portlaoise

The issue was raised at the Portlaoise Municipal District meeting. Laois County Council's Housing officer Georgina Ireland stated that the Lakeglen house is undergoing works.

"Re-let works commenced by Midlands Simon on Friday, November 10 and the property should be available mid-December. Tenant nominations will then be sought from the local authority," the officer said.

In the same motion, Cllr Dwane Stanley sought an update for a speed ramp outside numbers 13 and 14 Lakeglen, on foot of requests by residents for traffic calming.  Ms Ireland confirned that the ramp will be installed within four weeks.