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NOVAS Initiatives’ Brother Russell House has been awarded best Homeless Project at The Irish Council for Social Housing Biannual Conference and Awards Ceremony in Tullamore last Wednesday.

One of Limerick’s oldest homeless services, Brother Russell House was demolished in November 2013 and a complete rebuild, redesign and renewal of the service was commenced. Following the official sod-turning on the 29th of that month, by the then Minister for the Environment, Jan O’Sullivan, the rebuild began in earnest. The construction of this purpose-built supported housing facility was made possible by the financial support of the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government and the J.P. McManus Charitable Foundation.

The lives of Brother Russell tenants were utterly transformed by the physical development of the service, which provides 33 units of accommodation to homeless people, some of whom have sensory, physical and mental disabilities. The single apartments are homes for life for tenants who are no longer considered homeless, a stigma many have carried throughout their adult lives.

Anne Cronin, Head of Homeless Services with NOVAS believes that ‘the new service is unique in terms of being specifically designed for homeless people with a disability’ and notes that ‘while the physical building is a marvellous development, it is the delivery of support by staff that enables tenants to live with security and a degree of independence in a place they now call home.’ Cronin went on to say that ‘the in-house life-skills programme enhances our tenants’ ability to live fulfilling lives and prepare those capable of independent living to move-on, if they so wish.’

The service has supported marginalised men in Limerick City for four decades. The increased capacity of the new award-winning service now allows NOVAS to continue to cater for this group as well as supporting homeless women there. Cronin notes that ‘the traditional homeless demographic composed largely of men but this has changed considerably in recent years, with an increasing number of women also finding themselves homeless. Our new services reflects and caters for the emerging needs of homeless people in Limerick and we are delighted to be able to provide a service for women at Brother Russell House.’

Michael Goulding, NOVAS CEO, is ‘thrilled that Brother Russell House has been recognised by the Irish Council for Social Housing for its innovative design and the excellent support and care our staff deliver there.’