Homeless services picking up the slack in Waterford
Waterford Helping the Homeless is located just off Poleberry.
At the February Plenary meeting, the issue of homelessness was raised multiple times.
In what has become a perennial feature of the meetings, Councillors asked the Executive about the services available to people experiencing homelessness throughout Waterford City and County.
Councillor Mary Roche noted the work of services including Waterford Helping Homeless, an open service based in the Maranatha Church, off Poleberry Street.
A member of the Executive stated that homeless service users have been directed to groups like Waterford Helping the Homeless.
Waterford Helping Homeless receive no funding or support from the State and rely solely on donations. They provide hot meals for people seven days a week, and carry out large scale outreach services for people in need, whether its providing sleeping bags, nappies or shoes.
Cllr Roche said: "I find it astounding that we are not funding Helping the Homeless, when we are actually directing people to their service. I noted that someone [in the Executive] said that there was no application [for funding] made by Helping the Homeless. Have they ever been invited to apply?"
She went on: "What strand should they apply under? I just think if we are working as a team, we need to work as a team and work together."
Cllr Roche said: "They're providing a huge service for our service providers that we're directing to them and we have a responsibility."
