In a statement today Cllr Brid Smith of the People Before Profit Alliance welcomed the decision to keep Cedar House Homeless Unit open.

Following a motion passed at the March meeting of Dublin City Council it has been agreed that  Cedar House Homeless Unit will not be closing until there is solid proof that replacement services are in place.

The motion proposed by Cllr Smith said “This Council condemns the proposed closure of Cedar House Homeless  Hostel in accordance with the strategy of the Homeless Agency,  “Pathway to Home”. We demand that this unit remains fully open and  continues the provision of services to homeless people in our city  until such time as alternative and adequate housing alternatives are  put in place. An essential 20 bed dormitory is due for closure by 30th  March 2010 and no adequate alternative has yet been identified and communicated. 30 individual rooms and all other services are due for  cessation by 30th September 2010.”

Cedar House provides services for up to 50 men per night and up to 50  men and women per day.  Services provided include: emergency accommodation, counselling, methadone maintenance programmes, personal development programmes,  educational programmes, doctor/nurse access, life skills programmes,  key workers, day drop in centre providing shower facilities, clean  clothing, bedding and  food.