At NOVAS, we provide temporary homeless accommodation as a humanitarian response for people without a home of their own. We believe that everyone deserves secure, dignified and high-quality accommodation, where there feel respected, safe and that their voice in heard. This is the foundation for rebuilding lives, restoring dignity and creating meaningful pathways to long-term housing. By offering shelter and support, we help individuals move beyond crisis and empower them to live indepdentant and fulfilling lives.

 

NOVAS provides dedicated services, support and accommodation for young adults aged 18 to 24 years, experiencing or at risk of homelessness.

In early 2020 NOVAS established its first Family Support Service in Dublin. In collaboration with Fingal County Council, we are working with families who are experiencing homelessness, those who are living in hotels and family hubs, to move them into long-term, secure and suitable tenancies.

We also provide support and long-term housing to families living in substandard and overcrowded accommodation.

Whitestown is a trauma-informed, short-term ccommodation (STA) service located in the Dublin 15 area. With capacity for up to eight clients, Whitestown provides temporary housing for up to six months to single women experiencing homelessness. Aligned with NOVAS Strategic Plan 2023-2027, Whitestown offers innovative and effective solutions tailored to clients with complex needs, addressing not only homelessness but also the underlying issues that contribute to it.

The service empowers clients by equipping them with the skills necessary for sustainable independent living, supporting NOVAS’ goal of generating viable pathways out of homelessness. By fostering stability, trust, and collaboration, Whitestown helps clients build the confidence and capabilities required for long-term housing solutions. Operated in partnership with Fingal County Council, the service prioritises creating a safe and supportive environment that acknowledges the impact of trauma on its residents.

Whitestown’s approach is guided by six trauma-informed principles: ensuring physical and emotional safety, building trust through clear communication, fostering peer support, encouraging collaborative decision-making, empowering clients to regain control of their lives, and respecting their diverse backgrounds. By integrating these principles, Whitestown effectively meets residents’ immediate needs while promoting emotional wellbeing and long-term stability.

This service supports homeless people access independent accommodation in the community and provides wraparound supports in their own homes.

Project Workers support households to access and maintain their own accommodation with wraparound supports brought into their homes. Intensive support is provided to tenants, which affords independence, self-sufficiency, community engagement and security of tenure.

Bella House is a trauma-informed, short-term accommodation (STA) service situated in the Dublin 9 area, offering temporary housing for single women. With a capacity to accommodate up to 23 clients, the service provides a supportive environment for those who need it, for up to six months.

In line with NOVAS Strategic Plan 2023-2027, the facility offers a range of rehabilitation and stabilisation interventions designed to engage clients and create sustainable pathways out of homelessness. The service operates under a harm reduction policy, ensuring there are no barriers to entry and accepting clients as they are.

The service is funded by our partners at the Dublin Region Homeless Executive (DRHE). Guided by the six trauma-informed practice principles – safety, trust, peer support, collaboration, empowerment, and cultural respect – the service creates a compassionate environment that acknowledges and responds to the unique experiences of each client. This approach fosters emotional wellbeing and stability, empowering women to navigate their challenges and work towards lasting recovery and independence.

The Service Manager is Kim Keogh (kim.keogh@novas.ie) and the Deputy Manager is Niamh Hayes (niamh.hayes@novas.ie).