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.
Cllr Brid Smith said: "I welcome this decision. This is a great victory fro the staff of Cedar House who fought a determined campaign to keep the service open. This is another example of people power bringing results.
Its also a great victory for the many homeless people who use the service. With growing waiting lists for houses there is a vital need to keep services like Cedar House open. It is also vital that we put the resources into solving the homeless crisis. With many vacant properties throughout the City there should be no need for people to be on the streets".
Cllr Smith will be the People Before Profit Alliance candidate in the Mayoral election which will take place later in the year. Housing and homelessness will be one of her priorities on the campaign.
Brid Smith 087 9090166
